Organic synthesis direct functionalization

In recent years, the emphasis of research has been directed more and more toward utilizing nitro compounds as reactive intermediates in organic synthesis. The activating effect of the nitro group is exploited in carrying out many organic reactions, and its facile transformation into various functional groups has broadened the importance of nitro compounds in the synthesis of complex molecules. 

Allylic alcohol derivatives are quite useful in organic synthesis, so the asymmetric synthesis of such compounds via asymmetric hydrogenation of dienyl (especially enynyl) esters is desirable. The olefin functionality preserves diverse synthetic potential by either direct or remote functionalization. Boaz33 reported that enynyl ester and dienyl ester were preferred substrates for asymmetric hydrogenation using Rh-(Me-DuPhos) catalyst [Rh(I)-(R,R)-14], and products with extremely high enantioselectivity (>97%) were obtained (Schemes 6-11 and 6-12). 

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