Ruthenium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Dehydrative Cyclization

Significance

In this report, the authors developed a new strategy for the enantioselective ­synthesis of cyclic ethers. Allylic alcohols bearing remote hydroxyl groups were subjected to the ruthenium catalyst to produce the desired cyclic ethers with high yields and enantioselectivities. A new type of axially chiral ligand was also designed to facilitate the reaction.