Highly enantioselective hydrogenation of 3,5-diketo esters: a formal synthesis of tetrahydrolipstatin

Compound 4, obtained via a sequence of two consecutive alkylations of methyl 3,5-dioxohexanoate (5), was transformed into the enantiomerically pure lactone (3S,4S,6R)-2 being the precursor of tetrahydrolipstatin (1). The reaction sequence involves asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation of 4 as a crucial step.