white to slightly yellow crystalline low melting
(S)-(-)-3-Benzyloxy-1,2-propanediol is a useful building block. It is used in the preparation of the nucleotide analog (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonylmethoxy)propyl]cystosine with antiviral activities. It is also used to synthesize cationic cardiolipin analogs with drug delivery systems such as transfection reagents.
Purify the diol by repeated fractional distillation. [Baer et al. J Biol Chem 230 447 1958, Gigg & Gigg J Chem Soc C 1865 1967, Beilstein 6 IV 2247.]
