Enantiopure 2,9-Dideuterodecane – Preparation and Proof of Enantiopurity

(R,R)- and (S,S)-(2,9-2H2)-n-Decane were prepared regio- and stereospecifically in 25–26 % yield over five steps from commercially available enantiopure (R)- and (S)-propylene oxide, respectively. The synthetic procedure involved nucleophilic displacement of (R)- and (S)-4-toluenesulfonic acid 1-methyl-4-pentenyl ester with LiAlD4 to furnish the respective (5-2H)-1-hexenes. Subsequent olefin metathesis and reduction of the double bond furnished the title compounds. The optical purity of (R,R)- and (S,S)-(2,9-2H2)-n-decane could not be determined by chromatography or polarimetry. Therefore, (R,R)- and (R,S)-(5-2H)-3-hydroxy-2-hexanone were prepared from their respective hexenes by Wacker oxidation, followed by enantioselective α-hydroxylation. The enantiopurity could then be determined by NMR spectroscopy because the stereospecifically deuterated hydroxyketones showed separated signals for the subterminal carbon atom (C-5) in the 13C NMR spectrum.