1993 R.U. Lemieux Award Lecture Organometallic-type reactions in aqueous media—a new challenge in organic synthesis

Abstract

The development of organometallic-type reactions in aqueous media is reviewed. Coupling reactions of allyl halides with carbonyl compounds mediated by zinc, or tin, or indium in aqueous media to give homoallylic alcohols are discussed. The stereochemical outcome is compared with similar reactions in organic solvents. A concise synthesis of (+)-muscarine is used to illustrate the usefulness of aqueous organometallic-type reactions in organic synthesis. The procedure to protect–deprotect hydroxy functional groups may not be necessary in these reactions. An application in the carbohydrate area is demonstrated with the synthesis of (+)-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nonulosonic acid (KDN). The mechanistic possibilities of organometallic-type reactions in aqueous media are outlined.