Asymmetric synthesis of alpha substituted benzyl alcohols via the stereoselective addition of nucleophiles to homochiral tricarbonyl(η6-o-trialkylsilylbenzaldehyde)chromium(0) complexes

Abstract

The addition of nucleophiles to tricarbonyl(η⁶-o-trialkylsilylbenzaldehyde)chromium(0) complexes proceeds with complementary diastereoselectivities in the presence or absence of strong Lewis acids. The ready availability of homochiral aldehyde complexes, via classical resolution with L-valinol, permits the synthesis of alpha substituted benzyl alcohols with high enantiomeric excesses.