A novel synthetic method for optically active terpenes by the ring-opening reaction of (R)-(+)-β-methyl-β-propiolactone

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)78693-X

Optically active terpene such as (R)-(+)-citronellol, (R)-(+)-pulegone or (S)-ar-turmerone is prepared in high enantiomeric excess from an intermediate, (R)-(+)-citronellic acid or (S)-(+)-3-p-tolylbutyric acid, which is easily prepared by the Sn2 type of ring opening reaction of (R)-(+)-β-methyl-β-propiolactone with homoprenylmagnesium bromide in the presence of a copper(I) salt or di-p-tolylcuprate.