Regio-, Diastereo-, and Enantioselective Synthesis of Vicinal Diols via α-Silyl Ketones

A new versatile and efficient regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective synthesis of vicinal diols s-trans- 4 , s-trans- 5 , and s-cis- 4 is described. Symmetrical ketones are converted into their SAMP-or RAMP-hydrazones which are then silylated with (isopropyloxy)dimethylsilyl chloride, followed by ozonolysis to afford the α-silyl ketones (R)- 2 of high enantiomeric purity (ee 90– ≥ 98%). On the other hand, methyl ketones, after conversion into the corresponding (?)–(S)-1-amino-2-(methoxymethyl) pyrrolidine (SAMP) hydrazones, are silylated and then alkylated with RI to afford unsymmetrical α-silyl ketones (S)- 3 of high enantiomeric purity (ee 90- ≥ 98%). The reduction of the above obtained α-silyl ketones with L -Selectride, followed by oxidative cleavage of the C? Si bond gives rise to s-trans-4, s-trans- 5 , and s-cis- 4 with high diastereoselectivity (de 95- ≥ 98%) and without racemization (ee ≥ 90– ≥ 98%).