Abstract
Grignard compounds, prepared in benzene in the presence of one molar equivalent of an ether derived from (‐) (S)‐2‐methylbutan‐1‐ol, yield optically active alcohols on reaction with aldehydes. A comparison is made with the optical activities of the products obtained when an optically active bifunctional ether ((+) (2 R:3 R)‐2,3‐dimethoxybutane) is used. A discussion is given of the reacting system.