Methods for the Stereoselective Cis Cyanohydroxylation and Carboxyhydroxylation of Olefins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00151a017

Two valuable reagents for the cis-specific vicinal cyanohydroxylation and carboxyhydroxylation of olefins are described.The cyanohydroxylation process is based on the decarboxylative ring opening of 3-carboxyisoxazolines prepared by the <3+2>cycloaddition reaction of carbethoxyformonitrile oxide with various alkenes.Fragmentation of the isoxazolines prepared from cis- and trans-2-butene has been found to occur without any crossover in stereochemistry.The carboxyhydroxylation process begins with the dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the nitrile oxide derived from thetetrahydropyranyl ether derivative of 2-nitroethanol.Deprotection, hydrogenation, and oxitative cleavage of the derived dihydroxy ketone yield the stereochemcally pure β-hydroxy carboxylic acid.