Stereoselective Synthesis of syn- and anti-1,2-Hydroxyalkyls

Significance

Feringa and co-workers developed a stereoselective synthesis affording syn- and ­anti-1,2-hydroxyalkyl structures via a copper-­catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of δ-alkoxy-substituted allylic bromides with Grignard reagents. Depending on which enantiomer of the ligand is employed, a matched or mismatched situation is present affording highly valuable compounds with complete regiocontrol and excellent stereocontrol.