Optically active a-hydroxy B, y-unsaturated acids or esters have been synthesized by several methods, including enzymatic reduction of j3, y-unsaturated a-oxo acids1p2 and diastereoselective vinylsilane substitution with a chiral gly~ xylate.~ Although the stereoselective reduction of a-OXO esters" or amidesal0 has been studied using a variety of chiral auxiliaries, a chemical approach to such reduction of &y-unsaturated a-oxo acid ...
