Construction of a quaternary carbon center via cyclic sulfite

Abstract Reaction of ( S )-2-oxo-4-methyl-4-phenyl-1,3,2-dioxathiolane with triethylaluminum selectively took place at the tertiary carbinol center to give ( R )-2-methyl-2-phenyl-1-butanol. Enhanced stereoselectivity was obtained in a nonpolar solvent. Similarly, a series of ( S )-4,4-disubstituted-1,3,2-dioxathiolanes reacted with trimethylaluminum to afford the corresponding ( R )-2-alkyl-2-phenyl-1-propanols in good yields.