Asymmetric oxidative lactonization of meso-diols using acetone as a cooxidant is described herein. The reaction was found to be catalyzed by 0.5 mol % of a chiral Ir complex prepared from [Cp*IrCl2]2, chiral amino alcohol and t-C4H9OK at 30 °C, giving corresponding lactones in up to 81% ee and excellent yield. A gram scale reaction was also performed without special techniques. Furthermore, an enantiomerically pure lactone was obtained by recrystallization. The reaction was successfully applied to the synthesis of various useful synthetic intermediates.
