Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Retropinacol/Cross-pinacol Coupling Reactions - A Catalytic Access to 1,2-Unsymmetrical Diols
Published on: April 4, 2014
Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-17-epi-methoxy-kauran-3-one through tandem oxidative polycyclization-pinacol process
Gaëtan Maertens1, Samuel Desjardins1, Sylvain Canesi1
1Laboratoire de Méthodologie et Synthèse de Produits Naturels, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, H3C 3P8, Québec, Canada. canesi.sylvain@uqam.ca.
Abstract:
A synthesis of (+)-17-epi-methoxy-kauran-3-one, an O-methylated isomer of the natural diterpene 17-hydroxy-kauran-3-one, has been achieved. The strategy is based on a diastereoselective oxidative polycyclization-pinacol tandem process consisting of transforming a functionalized phenol into a compact and complex tetracycle, which represents the main core of kaurane family members. The synthesis also includes an enantioselective Yamamoto's allylation, a diastereoselective Ru-catalyzed hydrocyanation, a ring-closing metathesis and a reductive isomerization process as key steps. The structure of our synthetic substrate was determined through comparison with an O-methylated derivative of the natural compound.
Related Concept Videos
Vicinal Diols via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: Pinacol Coupling Overview
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Cyclohexenones via Michael Addition and Aldol Condensation: The Robinson Annulation
Preparation of Epoxides
Epoxides result from alkene oxidation, which can be achieved by a) air, b) peroxy acids, c) hypochlorous acids, and d) halohydrin cyclization.
Epoxidation with Peroxy Acids
Epoxidation of alkenes via oxidation with peroxy acids involves the conversion of a carbon–carbon double bond to an epoxide using the oxidizing agent meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, commonly known as MCPBA. Since the O–O bond of peroxy acids is very weak, the addition of electrophilic oxygen of peroxy acids to...
α-Hydroxy Ketones via Reductive Coupling of Esters: Acyloin Condensation Overview

![Solid-phase Synthesis of [4.4] Spirocyclic Oximes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F58508.jpg&w=3840&q=50)