(<i>S</i>)-β,ω-Dihydroxyalkyl Phenyl Sulfones. Synthesis by Bakers Yeast Reduction and Use as Precursors of Optically Active Lactones

Abstract

Abstract The enantioselective reduction of ω-hydroxy-β-ketoalkyl phenyl sulfones with bakers’ yeast gives (S)-ω,β-dihydroxyalkyl phenyl sulfones, which are convenient precursors for optically active lactones as shown in the synthesis of (R)-4-hexanolide and (R)-umbelactone.