Optically active cyclopropanols from the enzymatic resolution of dimethyl α-alkylsuccinates. Synthesis of chiral 2-vinylcyclobutanones and cyclohexenones.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)96592-4

(+)-(R) dimethyl α-methylsuccinates, obtained by the enantioselective hydrolysis of the racemic diester by porcine pancreatic lipase, undergo acyloin cyclization followed by stereoselective ring contraction to provide 1-alkenylcyclopropanols