An efficient protocol for the enantioselective preparation of a key polyfunctionalized cyclohexane. New access to (R)- and (S)-4-Hydroxy-2-cyclohexenone and (R)- and (S)-trans-cyclohex-2-ene-1,4-diol.

Starting from very accessible raw materials such as p-methoxyphenol, ethylene glycol, and thiophenol, a protocol has been developed to prepare multigram quantities of the polyfunctionalized cyclohexane (+/-)- 7. A highly efficient resolution of (+/-)- 7 has been achieved through enantioselective acetylation catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B. Straightforward and enantioselective syntheses of 4-hydroxy-2-cyclohexenone, 1, trans-cyclohex-2-ene-1,4-diol, 2, and their O-protected derivatives 18 and 19 have been readily accomplished from 7.