A novel method for the preparation of benzylidenecyclohexanes with high optical purity

The enantioselective reaction of the α-thio carbanion derived from 1-phenyl-1-(phenylthio)-1-(tributylstannyl)methane with 4-substituted cyclohexanones in the presence of bis(oxazoline)s gave the products as a diastereomeric mixture. Each diastereomer obtained had high optical purity. The reaction of the α-seleno carbanion derived from the bis(phenylseleno)acetal also showed high enantioselectivity. The stereospecific elimination of the isolated diastereomers on treatment with methanesulfonyl chloride and triethylamine afforded axially chiral benzylidenecyclohexanes with high enantioselectivities up to 99% ee.