A Direct Approach to Enantiopure Propionate Derivatives from Ethyl Lactate

This paper is dedicated with respect and affection to the memory of Professor Jean Normant.

Abstract

The S-propargyl xanthate derived from ethyl (S)-lactate reacts upon heating with various acidic substances to give the propionate transfer product in high yield and with complete inversion of configuration.

Key words

S-propargyl xanthate - sigmatropic rearrangement - esters - inversion - propionates

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