In particular, optically
active sulfinyl aldehydes, sulfinyl ketones, and sulfinyl enones have
been employed to effect a range of asymmetric reduction transformations,
6 Diels–Alder reactions,7 1,2-additions,8 and aldol reactions.
9 We have previously reported on a highly stereoselective
reduction of a-sulfinyl enones using NaBH4 with YbCl3 in methanol