A modular approach to catalytic stereoselective synthesis of chiral 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols.

Optically pure 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols are the most privileged structural motifs, widely present in natural products, pharmaceuticals and chiral auxiliaries or ligands. However, their synthesis relies on the use of toxic or expensive metal catalysts or suffer from low regioselectivity. Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of optically pure 1,n-diols from bulk chemicals in a highly stereoselective and atom-economical manner remains a formidable challenge.