Efficient C-21 deoxygenation of 21-alkoxy-20-keto corticoid steroids with trimethylsilyl iodide in the presence of methanol

Benzaldehyde lyase-catalyzed enantioselective carboligation of aromatic aldehydes with mono- and dimethoxy acetaldehyde

[reaction: see text] Benzaldehyde lyase from the Pseudomonas fluorescens catalyzes the reaction of aromatic aldehydes with methoxy and dimethoxy acetaldehyde and furnishes (R)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-1-arylpropan-1-one and (R)-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethoxy-1-arylpropan-1-one in high yields and enantiomeric excess via acyloin linkage. Aromatic aldehydes and benzoins are converted into enamine-carbanion-like intermediates prior to carboligation.

Diastereoselectivity in Mn(III)-promoted 4-exo-trig cyclization of enamides to beta-lactams

[reaction: see text] The effect of chiral substituents on the enamide nitrogen atom upon the diastereoselection of the Mn(III)-mediated 4-exo-trig cyclization to beta-lactams was studied. A significant level of diastereoselectivity was achieved when an amino acid ester moiety was included into the enamidic skeleton. The structure of the major diastereoisomer was suggested by semiempirical calculations.