Organocatalytic α-hydroxymethylation of cyclopentanone with aqueous formaldehyde: Easy access to chiral δ-lactones

Optically active lactones are important synthons in perfume and aroma manufacturing. Therefore, developments of efficient asymmetric syntheses are desired. Organocatalytic asymmetric alpha-hydroxymethylations of cyclopentanone with aqueous formaldehyde have been developed, to furnish the corresponding alpha-(hydroxymethyl) cyclopentanone with high enantioselectivity. Further chemical transformation of alpha-(hydroxymethyl) cyclopentanone gave the key intermediate for jasmine lactone, which is widely found in fruits and flowers. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.