A new and effective asymmetric synthesis of anti-1,3-mercapto alcohols 3 from α,β-unsaturatedketones 1 utilizing tandemMichaeladdition–Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction is described. Transformation of the MPV products anti-4 via the Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement was optimized under acidic or basic conditions to afford 1,3-mercapto alcohols anti-3, depending on the substituent R2 of 4.
A Novel Tandem Michael Addition/Meerwein−Ponndorf−Verley Reduction: Asymmetric Reduction of Acyclic α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Using A Chiral Mercapto Alcohol
The introduction of a thiol group into a chiral alcohol reagent for asymmetric Meerwein−Ponndorf−Verley (MPV) reductions allows asymmetric reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones to secondary alcohols and allylic alcohols via a novel tandem Michael addition/MPV reduction. The reaction of acyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones 1 and an optically active 1,3-mercapto alcohol (−)-2 using dimethylaluminum chloride