title: Mild organocatalytic alpha-methylenation of aldehydes.
abstract: A rapid and extremely convenient method for alpha-methylenation of aldehydes with aqueous formaldehyde is described. Two optimal catalytic systems are presented that allow short reaction times and afford the functionalized products in good to excellent yields (up to 99%) and chemoselectivity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O.B. 6100, FI-02015 TKK, Finland.
authors.forename: Anniina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erkkilä
authors.forename: Petri M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pihko
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000588:Amines / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D008745:Methylation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D000588:Amines