Acyloin coupling

Three approaches leading to 8 were considered (Figure 3.6.9) Following the biosynthetic pathway directly, polymer-supported thiamine 9 was constructed (path A) and could lead via crossed acyloin couplings to the target structure. Polymer-supported hydrazones 10 were reported to add directly to aldehydes in a non-catalyzed Umpolung reaction (path B) with results reported in due course. Finally, phosphine ylides 11 were investigated as polymer-supported acyl anion equivalents (path C). 

R. Brettle, Acyloin Coupling Reactions, in Comprehensive Organic Synthesis (B. M. Trost, I. Fleming, Eds.), Vol. 3, 613, Pergamon Press, Oxford, U. K., 1991. 

R. Brettle, Acyloin Coupling Reactions, in Comprehensive Organic Synthesis (B. M. Trost,... 

Another important coupling reaction uses esters as the electron-accepting species and leads to a-hydroxy ketones (acyloin coupling). Sodium, potassium (less frequently) or sodium-potassium alloys are commonly used as electron donors in nonpolar solvents such as toluene or xylene. The first detectable reaction intermediate after the primary reductive step is the enediolate which can be trapped with tri-alkylsilyl chloride. This method is widely used to synthesize highly nucleophilic alkenes and/or protected acyloins (Scheme 12) [50, 51]. 

---