Chiral 1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-ols: new scaffolds for enantiopure α-hydroxyaldehydes

We have demonstrated that chiral 1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-ols as new scaffolds, obtained by enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution, undergo Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings and hydroformylation smoothly. Also, we have found that a 1,3-dithianyl group of the products can be removed without any erosion of the enantiopurity under mild conditions. A new access to a variety of enantiopure α-hydroxyaldehydes with ensured absolute configuration is described.