Monobenzylether of (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diol as chiral auxiliary in the diastereoselective reduction of α-ketoesters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)00657-7

The α-ketoester 4a, prepared in 3 steps from (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethane- 1,2-diol can be reduced with several agents providing the corresponding α- hydroxyester 5 with diastereoselectivities up to 56%. This selectivity has been interpreted as due to carbony