An Asymmetric Synthesis of a Chiral Sulfone Acid with Concomitant Hydrolysis and Oxidation to Enable the Preparation of a Glucokinase Activator

This contribution describes the demonstration of an asymmetric synthesis of a glucokinase activator via protonation of the enolate generated from an alkylaryl ketene and (R)-pantolactone. Additionally, a one-pot hydrolysis/oxidation protocol with lithium hydroperoxide was developed to afford a chiral sulfone acid without degradation of the labile stereocenter.