Selective Reactions Using Organoaluminum Reagents [New Synthetic Methods (54)

Abstract

AbstractIn addition to their high oxyphilicity, organoaluminum compounds are endowed with ambiphilic character. These properties can be successfully utilized in developing new synthetic reactions with unique selectivities. Especially noteworthy are the organoaluminum‐promoted Beckmann rearrangement of oxime sulfonates, new syntheses of polyamino macrocycles via reductive cleavage of aminals and amidines by diisobutylaluminum hydride, the diastereoselective cleavage of chiral acetals by organoaluminum compounds leading to optically active secondary alcohols, allylic alcohols, and β‐substituted carbonyl compounds, and biomimetic terpene syntheses. These and other examples, which illustrate the characteristics of organoaluminum chemistry, are used to demonstrate the distinct advantages of organoaluminum reagents in selective organic synthesis.