Asymmetric Synthesis of Secondary and Tertiary Propargylic Alcohols by Umpolung of Acetylenic Sulfones and ortho-Sulfinyl Carbanions

The generation of diastereomerically enriched secondary benzyl propargyl alcohols by the asymmetric addition of ortho-sulfinylbenzyl carbanions to sulfonylacetylene derivatives via formation of a Csp–Csp3 bond is described. This reaction proceeds through an unusual α-attack (anti-Michael addition) of the ortho-sulfinylbenzyl carbanions, followed by elimination of the arylsulfonyl moiety. The scope of this alkynylation reaction is also discussed. Moreover, the development of a new approach for the synthesis of optically active tertiary benzylpropargyl alcohols is described, discussing the possible stereocourse of the reaction so as the influence of the ether 18-crown-6 and steric importance of acetylenic substituent.