Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of optically active α-hydroxyl-β,γ-unsaturated acid esters as novel side chains of cerebrosides

Abstract: Six optically active α-hydroxyl-β,γ-unsaturated acid esters 1a to 1f were synthesised, and they are significant moieties of the cerebrosides. The chiral intermediate alkynol 4 prepared by catalytic asymmetric addition had 99% ee, and which was converted into the target compounds 1a to 1f with high enantiomeric purity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]