An enantioselective synthesis of R-(+)-α-lipoic acid
Abstract
R-(+)-α-Lipoic acid (1), [α]D+107°, has been prepared in a six-step enantioselective synthesis from 6-bromohex-1-ene; the enantioselectivity is controlled by a Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of the intermediate allyl alcohol (2).