A novel approach to synthesize enantiomerically pure α-hydroxy carboxylic derivatives
is reported. A highly stereoselective oxidation of titanium(IV) enolates from chiral
N-acyloxazolidinones is performed with oxygen under simple experimental conditions
that do not require any reducing steps. The success of this approach depends on the
biradical character of titanium(IV) enolates.
Key words
stereoselective synthesis - hydroxylation - titanium enolates - chiral auxiliaries
- oxygen - radicals