Highly stereoselective hydroxy-alkylation, silylation and alkylation reactions of lithium derivatives of chiral phosphine oxides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)01611-5

Reactions of lithium derivatives of chiral phosphine oxides with ketones (e.g. cyclohexanone, cyclobutanone, valerophenone) and Me₃SiCl proceed with excellent levels of syn selectivity. In contrast, reactions with methyl iodide are moderately anti selective and those with aldehydes show no selectivity whatsoever.