Phase-transfer-catalyzed asymmetric Darzens reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(99)00213-6

Catalytic asymmetric Darzens reaction promoted by a chiral phase- transfer catalyst derived from cinchonine is described. The desired α,β- epoxy ketones were obtained by use of α-chloro acyclic and cyclic ketones as substrates with moderate to high enantiomeric excesses under mild reaction conditions. This methodology can be quite an effective protocol for practical asymmetric synthesis.