An efficient, stereoselective approach to syn-1,2-diols protected as cyclic carbonates
Enantioenriched 4-hydroxyalk-2-ynyl carbonates (or benzoates) have been prepared by stereoselective zinc-mediated addition of alkyl 2-propynyl carbonates (or their benzoate analogues) to aldehydes. Their partial reduction to Z-olefins followed by cyclizat