Stereoselective synthesis of polyfunctionalised hydroxylated cyclopentanes from dihydroxylated 2-cyclopentenone derivatives

Dihydroxylated cyclopentenones can be readily synthesised via a base mediated isomerisation reaction. These species and their derivatives can be used to provide a wide range of synthetically useful intermediates by participation in a variety of stereoselective transformations. These include: nucleophilic and conjugate addition, intermolecular cycloaddition, intramolecular free-radical cyclisation and palladium mediated coupling reactions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. AU rights reserved.