Synthesis 2008(11): 1647-1675  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1067046
REVIEW
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Recent Progress in the Catalytic Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols from Ketones with Organometallic Reagents

Manabu Hatano, Kazuaki Ishihara*
Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
Fax: +81(52)7893222; e-Mail: ishihara@cc.nagoya-u.ac.jp;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 22 January 2008
Publication Date:
29 April 2008 (online)

Abstract

Efficient tertiary alcohol synthesis is currently one of the most rapidly advancing fields in organic chemistry, and recent powerful catalytic methodologies can provide versatile tertiary alcohols, even with enantioselective properties. This review summarizes work on the highly efficient catalytic synthesis of tertiary alcohols from ketones and organometallic reagents. New trends in the catalytic synthesis of tertiary alcohols, including functionalized ones, such as tertiary cyanohydrins and tertiary aldols, are examined from the frontier viewpoints that use typical or transition-metal catalysts, organocatalysts, and metal ate complexes, among others.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Simple Tertiary Alcohols with Grignard Reagents­

2.1 Stoichiometric Organocerium(III) and Organolanthanum(III) Reagents

2.2 Stoichiometric Trialkylmagnesium(II) Ate Complexes

2.3 Stoichiometric Chiral Organozinc(II) Ate Complexes

2.4 Catalytic Trialkylzinc(II) Ate Complexes

2.5 Sequential Aldol-Grignard Reaction

3 Catalytic Enantioselective Alkylation, Arylation, and Alkenylation­ Reactions with Organozinc Reagents

4 Catalytic Enantioselective Alkynylation

5 Catalytic Enantioselective Alkenylation and Arylation with Organoaluminum and Organosilicon Reagents

6 Catalytic Enantioselective Reformatsky Reaction

7 Catalytic Enantioselective Allylation Reaction

8 Catalytic Enantioselective Aldol Reaction with Organo­silicon Reagents

9 Catalytic Enantioselective Ene Reaction with Organo­silicon Reagents

10 Catalytic Enantioselective Cyanosilylation Reaction

11 Catalytic Enantioselective Trifluoromethylation Reaction

12 Catalytic Cyanomethylation Reaction

13 Catalytic 1,3-Dithiane Addition Reaction

14 Conclusions