10.1016/S0040-4039(00)87795-3
The study investigates the stereoselectivity of ketal Claisen rearrangements involving ketals of simple cyclic ketones such as cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, and cycloheptanone. The reactions of these ketals with allylic alcohols produce mixtures of diastereomeric products, with the m isomer generally favored. The selectivity is influenced by enolization processes, particularly in the 5- and 6-membered ring systems. The study finds that the initial selectivity is quite good, especially when the allylic alcohol contains a methyl substituent, which induces significant diastereoselectivity. The identity of the major Claisen product is confirmed through independent methods like Wittig olefination and Cope rearrangement. The overall yields are good, and useful reaction products can be obtained, although the separation of isomers varies in difficulty depending on the cyclic ketone used. The researchers are working to expand the scope of the reaction to achieve higher diastereoselectivity.