title: New mechanistic studies on the proline-catalyzed aldol reaction.
abstract: The mechanism of the proline-catalyzed aldol reaction has stimulated considerable debate, and despite limited experimental data, at least five different mechanisms have been proposed. Complementary to recent theoretical studies we have initiated an experimental program with the goal of clarifying some of the basic mechanistic questions concerning the proline-catalyzed aldol reaction. Here we summarize our discoveries in this area and provide further evidence for the involvement of enamine intermediates.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. list@mpi-muelheim.mpg.de
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: List
authors.forename: Linh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.forename: Harry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011392:Proline / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; C116609:3-hydroxybutanal; D011392:Proline