Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of syn-1,2-Diol Derivatives

Significance

The authors describe an efficient and selective synthesis of α-alkoxy-substituted syn-β-hydroxy esters 2. The formation of two stereogenic centers could be achieved by applying a ruthenium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation via dynamic kinetic resolution starting from racemic β-keto esters 1 with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.