Chiral Sulfoxides as Building Blocks for Enantiopure 1,3-Diol Precursors in the Synthesis of Natural Products

1,3-Diol motif is of particular interest due to its prominence within many classes of natural products. In this field, β,δ-diketo sulfoxides are specially attractive because both syn- and anti-1,3-diols can be prepared from these key compounds by two successive high diastereoselective reductions of both carbonyls. Thus, β-carbonyl reduction requires DIBAL-H or the ZnX2/DIBAL-H system. The resulting stereochemistry of the corresponding hydroxyl is fully controlled by the chiral sulfoxide group. Then, the reduction of δ-carbonyl leads to syn or anti 1,3-diols depending on the hydride reagents employed and the stereoselectivity is directed by the newly formed β- hydroxylic center. In this paper, emphasis is given to the use of valuable β,δ-diketo sulfoxides in the total synthesis of selected natural products.