Direct Aldol Reaction of Diazoacetate Catalyzed by Magnesium

Significance

The authors reported a highly enantioselective and general method toward α-diazo-β-hydroxy esters using catalytic direct aldol reaction of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA). Broad substrate scope, commercial availability of reagents and high concentrations (1 M) at which the reactions are performed makes this method very powerful. Furthermore, the authors demonstrated the utility of the products obtained toward synthesis of carbon and heteroatom substituents with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.