Diastereoselective dearomatization of resorcinols directed by a lactic acid tether: unprecedented enantioselective access to p-quinols.

An operationally simple oxidative dearomatization of resorcinol derivatives is reported that employs an inexpensive chiral directing group. The method provides access to a variety of p-quinol derivatives in good yield and diastereoselectivity. A short reductive process affords 4-hydroxy-4-alkylcyclohexenone derivatives in excellent yields and enantiomeric excesses.