An efficient preparation of optically active allylic alcohols,2-furyl alcohols and 2-thienyl alcohols by catalytic asymmetric alkylation

Abstract

Highly enantioselective alkylation of some kinds of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with dialkylzinc proceeds in the presence of a small amount of a chiral β-amino alcohol, thus providing an efficient method of obtaining optically active secondary allylic alcohols. Optically active 2-furyl and 2-thienyl alcohols are also available by this catalytic asymmetric alkylation method.