Reformatsky-Type Reaction of Chiral Nonracemic α-Bromo-α‘-sulfinyl Ketones with Aldehydes. Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure 2-Methyl-1,3-diol Moieties
Chiral nonracemic alpha-bromo-alpha'-sulfinyl ketones were shown to react with aldehydes in the presence of SmI(2) in a Reformatsky-type reaction to give the corresponding adduct with excellent syn diastereoselectivity. Further reduction of the Reformatsky adducts furnished anti- and syn-2-methyl-1,3-diol moieties in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities.