Stereoselective synthesis of optically active syn- and anti-1,3-diols by the catalytic alkylation of a β-alkoxy aldehyde

Abstract

Diastereodivergent synthesis of optically active syn- and anti-1,3-diols is achieved by the alkylation of the β-alkoxy aldehyde 1 with dialkylzinc reagents using chiral catalysts, providing the first example of the syn-selective alkylation of 1.