Enantioselective protonation of samarium enolates derived from α- heterosubstituted ketones and lactone by SmI2-mediated reduction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(99)00143-X

SmI₂-mediated reductive cleavage of α-heterosubstituents of α-alkyl or α-aryl ketones and lactone gave the corresponding 'thermodynamic samarium enolates'. Enantioselective protonation of the samarium enolates with C₂- symmetric chiral diols afforded the corresponding ketones and lactone in moderate to high enantioselectivities.