Preparation of Chiral Propargylic Alcohols from α,β-Unsaturated Esters.

A series of chiral propargylic alcohols with high enantiomeric excess was prepared by asymmetric dihydroxylation of α,β-unsaturated esters, conversion of the diols to 4-(chloromethyl)-1,3-dioxolane intermediates, and base-induced elimination.