Phase-Transfer-Catalyzed Enantioselective α-Hydroxylation of Acyclic and Cyclic Ketones with Oxygen

An efficient and enantioselective alpha-hydroxylation of acyclic as well as cyclic ketones using molecular oxygen has been developed. This simple catalytic procedure uses a readily available phase transfer catalyst and produces a wide range of valuable tertiary a-hydroxy ketones in good to excellent enantiopurity.