A New Simple Synthesis of Optically Active Alkylpyridines: Remarks on the Maximum Rotatory Power of (+)-(S)-3-s. Butylpyridine

Our interest in the synthesis of optically active alkylpyridines led us to develop several synthetic routes to these products.^1–5 In particular, 2-alkylsuccinaldehyde monoacetals (1), which can be easily prepared without racemization through rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of α, β- unsaturated aldehyde acetals,⁶ proved to be valuable starting materials for the preparation of optically active 3-alkylpyridines (6).²