Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl 3,5-Dioxohexanoate Catalyzed by Ru-binap Complex: A Short Step Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydro-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(91)80569-R

Hydrogenation of methyl 3,5-dioxohexanoate 3 using Ru2Cl4((R) or (S)-binap)2(NEt3) as the catalyst gave dominantly anti 3,5-dihydroxyester 9, which was then converted into unsaturated lactone 4.The pathway of the hydrogenation reaction was also investigated. Key words: β,δ-diketonester; Ru-binap catalyst; asymmetric hydrogenation; asymmetric synthesis; lactone.