The absolute configuration of benproperinium dihydrogen phosphate, an antitussive drug

The (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of benproperinium dihydrogen phosphate, an antitussive drug, have been assigned the R- and S-configurations, respectively, by syntheses of both enantiomers using (S)-2-hydroxypropanoic acid (L-lactic acid) as chiral synthon. The key intermediate, (S)-1-methyl-2-[2-(phenylmethyl)phenoxy]ethyl p-toluenesulfonate, was subjected to an SN2-type reaction with piperidine furnishing (+)-(R)-benproperinium dihydrogen phosphate. (-)-(S)-Benproperinium dihydrogen phosphate was obtained by submitting the same tosylate to two consecutive SN2-type reactions with Br- and piperidine, respectively, acting as nucleophiles.