[1,2]-Wittig Rearrangement of Acetals III [1]. New 1,2-Alkoxyalcohols, 1,2-Alkoxyaminesand 1,2-Dialkoxy Compounds as Chiral Ligands for Organomagnesium and Organolithium Compounds and forLithium Aluminum Hydride

Summary.  Eight O-substituted 1,2-diols and one O,N-substituted 1,2-aminoalcohol derived from 2-alkoxyoctahydro-7,8,8-trimethyl-4,7-methanobenzofurans via a 1,2]-Witting rearrangement and subsequent substitution were synthesized and tested as additives for the enantioselective addition of butyllithium and butylmagnesium chloride to benzaldehyde and for the reduction of acetophenone with lithium aluminum hydride. The selectivity of the reactions was determined by GC of the obtained 1-phenyl-1-pentanol and 1-phenylethanol on a chiral phase. Best results with regard to selectivity (52% ee and 94% ee, resp.) were achieved in the formation of 1-phenyl-1-pentanol by addition of the substituted 1,2-aminoalcohol to the organometallic reagent and in the reduction of acetophenone using an α-alkoxyalcohol (62%ee). Received March 10, 2000. Accepted March 23, 2000