Zr(OBut)4 As an effective promoter for the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley alkynylation and cyanation of aldehydes: development of new asymmetric cyanohydrin synthesis

Zr(OBut)4 Can serve as an effective promoter for the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley alkynylation of aldehydes and also facilitate MPV type cyanide transfer to aldehyde carbonyls with commercially available acetone cyanohydrin under mild conditions. Based on this finding, a new procedure for asymmetric cyanohydrin synthesis has been developed employing (4R,5R)-2,2-dimethyl-α,α,α′,α′-tetraphenyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dimethanol (TADDOL, 6) as a chiral ligand. For instance, sequential treatment of CH2Cl2 solution of 6 (1 equiv.) with Zr(OBut)4 (1 equiv.) and acetone cyanohydrin (2 equiv.) at room temperature for 1 h, and subsequent reaction with 3-phenylpropanal at −40°C for 7.5 h resulted in formation of the corresponding cyanohydrin 5g [R=Ph(CH2)2] in 63% isolated yield with 85% ee. The scope and limitations of this method have been clarified with various aldehydes as substrates.