Alkylation of chiral alpha-hydroxy ketones derived from (1R)-(+)-camphor. An asymmetric variant of the classical acetylene route to carbonyl compounds

[GRAPHICS] The asymmetric version of the traditional route for transforming acetylene into a-branched carbonyl compounds is now feasible for the first time. The method involves the temporary attachment of camphor to acetylene and gives a remarkably high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.