Copper(II) Chloride Mediated Racemization-Free Hydrolysis of α-Alkylated Ketone Samp-Hydrazones

Abstract
Treatment of ketone SAMP-hydrazones la-k with an aqueous copper(II) chloride solution yields the corresponding ketones 2a-k in 52-94% yield and with high enantiomeric purities (ee = 89-99%). The cleavage conditions do not affect functionalities sensitive to oxidation and strong acids. The alkylation/cleavage protocol can be carried out in ‘one-pot’.