Catalytic enantioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidations of 3-substituted cyclobutanones with cumene hydroperoxide as oxidant have successfully been performed in the presence of chiral magnesium catalysts. The combination of enantiopure BINOL and a variety of Mg reagents is able to promote the oxidation of ketones with good enantiomeric excesses. MgI 2 or MeMgI as metal source were found to give the best enantioselectivities.

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[reaction: see text] High stereoselectivities (up to 98% de) have been achieved for the Lewis acid-mediated cross-coupling reaction of dimethyl acetals to a chiral 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione-derived titanium enolate. The reaction affords enantiopure anti alpha-methyl-beta-alkoxy carbonyl compounds in a wide range of acetals.

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