Enantioselective furylation of prochiral aldehydes by difurylzinc in the presence of a chiral amino alcohol: asymmetric synthesis of 2-furylmethanols

Abstract

The first example of the enantioselective furylation of aldehydes is described. Optically active 2-furylmethanols have been synthesized in good enantiomeric excesses (up to 73% e.e.) by the enantioselective addition of difurylzinc to aldehydes using N,N-dibutylnorephedrine and N,N-di(4-phenylbutyl)norephedrine as either chiral ligands or catalysts.