Preparation and use of diols

摘要

A process for the preparation of diols by a Lewis acid-catalysed aldehyde addition reaction on hydroxyalkynes followed by hydrogenation is described. The process provides a wide range of diols from simple, readily available starting materials. In particular the process is suitable for preparing chiral 1,4-diols suitable for the preparation of chiral phospholane ligands for use in asymmetric catalysis.