Camphor-based alpha-bromo ketones for the asymmetric darzens reaction

J Org Chem. 2000 Dec 29;65(26):9007-12. doi: 10.1021/jo001031f.

Abstract

(1R)-2-endo-Bromoacetyl-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol (endo-2-bromoacetylisoborneol) 4 and its trimethylsilyl ether 3 are presented as efficient reagents for the asymmetric Darzens reaction. From the alpha,beta-epoxy ketone adducts the chiral inductor camphor is removed, by treatment with ceric(IV) ammonium nitrate, to yield the corresponding epoxy acids which are isolated as their dicyclohexylammonium salts.