Calcium-mediated stereoselective reduction of α,β-epoxy ketones

The development of a calcium-mediated stereoselective reduction of α,β-epoxy ketones is reported. The corresponding α,β-epoxy alcohols are obtained in very good anti diastereoselectivity using Ca(OTf)2 and NaBH4. Furthermore, we have shown that our method can diastereoselectively reduce α,β-aziridinyl ketones.