Synfacts 2024; 20(09): 0955
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1775006
Metals in Synthesis

Synthesis of anti-1,3-Diols: The Evans–Tishchenko Reaction

Contributor(s):
Mark Lautens
,
Colton E. Johnson
Evans DA, *, Hoveyda AH. Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
Samarium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Tishchenko Reduction of β-Hydroxy Ketones. A Stereoselective Approach to the Synthesis of Differentiated anti 1,3-Diol Monoesters.

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990;
112: 6447-6449
DOI: 10.1021/ja00173a071
 

Significance

1,3-Diols are ubiquitous in natural products and bioactive compounds. In 1990, the Evans group reported a highly diastereoselective reduction of β-hydroxy ketones to access anti-1,3-diol monoesters. Importantly, this transformation exhibits wide functional group tolerance and operates under very mild conditions. This has led to its widespread adoption in total syntheses (see Review below).


Review

K. J. Ralston, A. N. Hulme Synthesis 2012, 44, 2310–2342.


Comment

In the Fürstner synthesis of the formosalides they utilized the Evans–Tishchenko reaction to set a crucial anti-1,3-diol. Interestingly, they also observed an acyl transfer in low yield; this transfer was also found when using this reaction on epimeric starting materials to probe the stereochemistry of the formosalides.




Publication History

Article published online:
16 August 2024

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