Ephedrine Synthesis of -Phenylacetylcarbinol

Stereoselective carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions are among the most useful S5mthetic methods in asymmetric synthesis as they allow the simultaneous creation of up to two adjacent stereocenters. Acyloin formation mediated by thiamine diphosphate-dependent decarboxylase, yeast pyruvate decarboxylase, bacterial benzoylformate decarboxylase, and phenylpyruvate decarboxylase has been reported [142-147]. 

FIGURE 4.32 Ephedrine synthesis of phenyl-acetyl carbinol. 

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