Desymmetization of a meso-allylic acetal by enantioselective conjugate elimination
An unprecedented enantioselective deprotonation/conjugate elimination sequence, which transforms an allylic meso-dioxepane into a chiral diene, is described. The best desymmetrization conditions (ee up to 70%) involve s-BuLi and sparteine at -78 °C in THF.