title: Asymmetric isomerization of ω-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated thioesters into β-mercaptolactones by a bifunctional aminothiourea catalyst.
abstract: We present a novel methodology for the asymmetric synthesis of β-mercaptolactones via isomerization of ω-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated thioesters by means of a bifunctional aminothiourea catalyst. The catalyst interacts with the substrate through the cooperative action of both a covalent bond at the amino group and noncovalent bonding at the thiourea group. The potential for an enantiodivergent synthesis could also be demonstrated by carrying out the reaction in a different solvent system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University , Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukata
authors.forename: Takaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.forename: Seijiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsubara