| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of C 2 -symmetric 1,4-diols of the formula IVA or IVB, wherein ring A, R 1 and R 2 have the meanings given in the specification, that makes use of the metallation of pure enantiomers of α-(aryl or heteroaryl)-α-substituted alkanol compounds or the use of said alkanol compounds in the preparation of said mmetric 1,4-diols; novel C 2 -symmetric 1,4-diols in enantiomerically pure form; and methods of use or their use in the synthesis of chiral ligands which find use to produce catalysts for a variety of asymmetric transformations such as hydrogenations. |