'Syn-effect' in the diastereoselective alkylation of 3-[(E)-α,β-unsaturated-γ-substituted]-N-acyloxazolidinones

Synthetic methods for the formation of alkenes usually produce the E-alkene because it is more stable. However, in isomerization reaction (double bond migration) that takes place in α, β−unsaturated carbonyl compounds, when these carbonyl compounds are exposed to strong bases, furnish Z-alkenes highly stereoselective depending on the γ-substituent in the α, β-unsaturated carbonyl. This stereoselectivity can be attributed to the known Syn-effect. The synthetic value of this methodology is the achievement of chiral alcohol bearing an electron rich Z-alkene, as well as substituted, which was accomplished via removal of the oxazolidinone moiety under treatment with NaBH4, THF-H2O.

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