Stereospecific construction of contiguous quaternary carbon centers constitutes a major challenge in natural product synthesis. A general protocol that enables stereospecific construction of all stereoisomers of such a moiety remains elusive. In this article, we will discuss the oxidative ring contraction of all-substituted cyclic α-formyl ketones mediated by H2O2, which provides a facile access to the stereospecific construction of contiguous quaternary carbon centers.
Key words
interrupted Baeyer–Villiger reaction - malondialdehyde - cyclic α-formyl ketones - ring contraction - contiguous quaternary carbon centers