Asymmetric synthesis by the intramolecular haloetherification reaction of ene acetal: discrimination of prochiral dienes in cyclohexane systems.

A novel asymmetric synthesis of the cyclohexane derivative functionalized by some substituents has been developed from the diene acetals (1), prepared from the corresponding diene aldehyde and (+)-hydrobenzoin. The treatment of 1 with NBS in the presence of MeOCH2CH2OH predominantly afforded 2 in a stereoselective manner. Subsequent alkylation of the methoxyethoxy group produced the optically active cyclohexene compounds (3) in good yields. The stereoselective chemical modification of the remaining olefin in 3 was made by OsO4-oxidation.