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Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
Alcohols as Efficient Intermolecular Initiators for a Highly Stereoselective Polyene Cyclisation Cascade
Daniya Aynetdinova1, Reece Jacques2, Kirsten E Christensen1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
Abstract:
The use of benzylic and allylic alcohols in HFIP solvent together with Ti(Oi Pr)4 has been shown to trigger a highly stereoselective polyene cyclisation cascade. Three new carbon-carbon bonds are made during the process and complete stereocontrol of up to five new stereogenic centers is observed. The reaction is efficient, has high functional group tolerance and is atom-economic generating water as a stoichiometric by-product. A new polyene substrate-class is employed, and subsequent mechanistic studies indicate a stereoconvergent mechanism. The products of this reaction can be used to synthesize steroid-analogues in a single step.
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