Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of optically pure 1,n-diols from bulk chemicals in a stereoselective and atom-economical manner remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a modular method for the synthesis of enantioenriched 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols from the high-production-volume chemicals ethylene glycol and 1,3-propanediol, respectively.
- Sheng Xu
- Yuanyuan Ping
- Wangqing Kong