REDUCTION OF β-KETOSULFOXIDES : A HIGHLY EFFICIENT ASYMMETRIC SYNTHESIS OF BOTH ENANTIOMERS OF METHYL CARBINOLS FROM THE CORRESPONDING ESTERS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)85569-0

It is shown that reductions of β-ketosulfoxides of identical chirality (R) at sulfur, lead to reduction products of opposite stereochemistry according to the reducing agent used.The high enantiomeric excesses obtained (80 to 100percent) provide a general route to both enantiomers of methylcarbinols from the corresponding esters.