title: The first direct and enantioselective cross-aldol reaction of aldehydes.
abstract: The first enantioselective catalytic direct cross-aldol reaction that employs nonequivalent aldehydes has been accomplished using proline as the reaction catalyst. Structural variation in both the aldol donor (R1 = Me, n-Bu, Bn, 91 to >99%) and aldol acceptor (R2 = I-Pr, I-Bu, c-C6H11, Et, Ph, 97-99% ee) are possible while maintaining high reaction efficiency (75-88% yield). Significantly, this new aldol variant allows facile enantioselective access to a broad range of beta-hydroxy aldehydes which are valuable intermediates in polyketide syntheses.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Northrup
authors.forename: David W C
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: MacMillan