An asymmetric Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction of glyoxylates was for the first time accomplished via an N,N'-dioxide/Y(OTf)3complex with aluminium alkoxide and molecular sieves (MSs) as crucial additives. A variety of optically active α-hydroxyesters were obtained with excellent results. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed based on the experiments.
[3+2]-annulation reaction in the presence of a base. Compounds 6 were easily converted to 2-substituted cyclopent-2-en-1-ones by deethoxycarbonylation. An application of the annulation to synthesis of cis-jasmone is also described.