Regio and stereocontrolled synthesis of aryl cis aminoalcohols from cis glycols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)00334-6

Reaction of aryl substituted cis diols with α-acetoxyisobutyryl chloride results in the formation of trans vicinal chlorohydrin acetates where the halide is benzylic. Displacement of chloride with azide ion, deprotection of the ester and reduction of the azide furnishes the requisite cis aminoalcohols. This facile four-step procedure results in the exclusive replacement of a benzylic hydroxyl with an amino group, with a net retention of stereochemistry. This set of transformations is generally applicable to a wide variety of cis diols, and the overall yields are excellent.