Systematic synthetic study of four diastereomerically distinct limonene-1,2-diols and their corresponding cyclic carbonates.

In order to produce versatile and potentially functional terpene-based compounds, a ()-limonene-derived diol and its corresponding five-membered cyclic carbonate were prepared. The diol (cyclic carbonate) comprises four diastereomers based on the stereochemical configuration of the diol (and cyclic carbonate) moiety. By choosing the appropriate starting compounds (- and -limonene oxide) and conditions, the desired diastereomers were synthesised in moderate to high yields with, in most cases, high stereoselectivity.