Asymmetric Hydroformylation of Vinyl Acetate:  Application in the Synthesis of Optically Active Isoxazolines and Imidazoles

(R)- and (S)-2-(Acetyloxy)-propanal were prepared [93.8% ee, 102 b/l for (R), 96.9% ee, 149 b/l for (S)] via asymmetric hydroformylation of vinyl acetate on a 150-180 g scale and were used as the starting materials in the synthesis of chiral isoxazoline and imidazole derivatives which proceeded without racemization of the chiral center.