Conjugate Addition of Lithiated (S)‐4‐Isopropyl‐3‐ [(methylthio)methyl]‐5,5‐diphenyloxazolidin‐2‐one to Cinnamoyl Derivatives: Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure 1,4‐Diols

The Li derivative of (S)‐4‐isopropyl‐3‐(methylthio)methyl]‐5,5‐diphenyloxazolidin‐2‐one (Li‐ 2 ; synthetically equivalent to a chiral formyl anion) adds to enones and enoates in a 1,4‐fashion. Best results are obtained with 1,3‐diarylpropenones (chalcones; Scheme 2), trityl enones, and 2,6‐di(tert‐butyl)‐4‐methoxyphenyl cinnamates (Scheme 3), with yields up to 80% and diastereoselectivities up to and above 99 : 1 of the products ( 5a – f and 8a , b , e ) containing three stereogenic centers! X‐Ray crystal‐structure analysis reveals that the C,C‐bond formation occurs preferentially with relative topicity ul (Re/Si; Fig. 2). The MeS group of the 1,4‐adducts can be replaced by RO groups in Hg²⁺‐assisted substitutions, with subsequent removal and facile recovery of the chiral auxiliary (Schemes 4–6). 4‐Hydroxycarbonyl derivatives (‘homoaldols') and mono‐, di‐, and trisubstituted 1,4‐diols are, thus, accessible in enantiomerically pure forms (cf. 15, 16 , and 18 – 20 ).