Base- and Co(II)-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of perhydrooxireno[2,3-d][1,2]dioxines: an efficient route to 4-hydroxy-2,3-epoxy-ketones.

A series of 3,4,6-substituted 3,6-dihydro-1,2-dioxines were epoxidized with m-chloroperbenzoic acid to furnish perhydrooxireno[2,3-d][1,2]dioxines (epoxy-1,2-dioxines) in yields ranging from 51% to 93% with de's from 26% to 100%. Unsymmetrical epoxy-1,2-dioxines were ring-opened using triethylamine to yield 4-hydroxy-2,3-epoxy-ketones quantitatively, and meso-epoxy-1,2-dioxines were ring-opened using Co(II) salen complexes to afford 4-hydroxy-2,3-epoxy-ketones in 77-98% yield. The first reported examples of the catalytic asymmetric ring-opening of meso-epoxy-1,2-dioxines using a range of chiral Co(II) salen and beta-ketoiminato complexes to afford highly enantio-enriched 4-hydroxy-2,3-epoxy-ketones are also presented.

First examples of the catalytic asymmetric ring-opening of meso 1,2-dioxines utilising cobalt(II) complexes with optically active tetradentate Schiff base ligands: formation of enantio-enriched cyclopropanes.

The combination of chiral cobalt beta-ketoiminato or cobalt salen complexes and meso 1,2-dioxines leads to catalytic asymmetric ring-opening affording enantio-enriched cis gamma-hydroxy enones; subsequent capture by an ylide affords enantio-enriched cyclopropanes.