Synlett 2005(4): 646-648  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-862393
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Highly Diastereoselective Desymmetrisation of Cyclic meso-Anhydrides and Derivatisation to Mono-Protected 1,4-Diols

Amanda C. Evansa, Deborah A. Longbottoma, Masato Matsuokab, Steven V. Ley*a
a University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
Fax: +44(1223)336442; e-Mail: svl1000@cam.ac.uk;
b Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd., 3-14-1 Sakura, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0003, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Received 19 November 2004
Publication Date:
22 February 2005 (online)

Abstract

A new and efficient desymmetrisation of bi- and tricyclic meso-anhydrides is described, providing good yields and diastereoselectivities in all cases (routinely >95% de). Derivatisation of the chiral compounds synthesised is then demonstrated by their conversion into mono-protected 1,4-diols.