Productivity in synthesis: a mixture protocol to raise compound output is demonstrated for asymmetric cyclopropanation of allyl alcohols

Abstract

The productivity of conventional chemical reactions can be improved in favourable cases by using a mixture protocol. This concept is demonstrated for the asymmetric cyclopropanation of 3-arylprop-2-en-1-ols. Mixtures of three or four starting materials give products which are separated by flash chromatography. The enantiomeric excess and yield of each pure compound is comparable to that obtained in conventional single-substrate reactions, leading to an overall efficiency gain, especially in experimentalist effort, and reduced hazard.