Highly enantioselective desymmetrizations of meso-anhydrides

Readily available, low molecular cyclohexane-based organocatalysts promote highly enantioselective desymmetrizations of cyclic meso-anhydrides applying alcohols and benzyl mercaptan as nucleophiles. Both succinic and glutaric anhydrides furnished the corresponding products with up to 96% ee in mostly quantitative yields. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.