A facile preparation of novel α-hydroxy-α-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)acetic acid by a base-catalyzed condensation of 2-naphthol with glyoxylic acid is described. One of its derivatives, α-methoxy-α-(2-methoxy-1-naphthyl)acetic acid, has successfully been resolved.
α-hydroxy-α-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)acetic acid - α-methoxy-α-(2-methoxy-1-naphthyl)acetic acid - 2-naphthol - glyoxylic acid - optical resolution