One-pot synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 2,3-disubstituted cyclopentanones via copper-catalyzed 1,4-reduction and alkylation.

[reaction: see text]. Enantiomerically enriched 2,3-disubstituted cyclopentanones were prepared via copper-catalyzed 1,4-reduction of 3-substituted cyclopentenones followed by alkylation of the resulting silyl enol ether. Using this procedure, trans-2,3-disubstituted cyclopentanones were produced in moderate to good overall yields (42-67%) and with excellent enantiomeric and diastereomeric excesses. The reduction and alkylation were performed in a single reaction vessel.