A Convenient Large Scale Synthesis of 2‐Hydroxy‐3‐pinanone.

Abstract A convenient large scale synthesis of 2-hydroxy-3-pinanone from readily available α-pinene has been developed. This two step method involves the diastereoselective dihydroxylation of α-pinene and subsequent oxidation of pinanediol to the hydroxyketone. The key advantages of this method, which allows access to large quantities of this important chiral auxiliary, are high yield and ease of operation.