Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,n-Dicarbonyl Compounds Through Palladium-Catalyzed Ring Opening/Isomerization of Densely Substituted Cyclopropanols.

We report a highly diastereoselective protocol for the synthesis of 1,4- and 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds from densely substituted cyclopropanols. The methodology involves a palladium-catalyzed ring opening reaction followed by a "metal-walk" and oxidation of a remote hydroxyl group. The methodology represents a new application of cyclopropanols as initiation sites for chain walking remote functionalization. Importantly, this approach provides a straightforward access to highly valuable succinaldehyde derivatives bearing vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters as single diastereomers.