Synfacts 2006(10): 1066-1066  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949375
Organo- and Biocatalysis
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

New Proline Amides as Catalyst for the Direct Aldol Reaction

Contributor(s): Benjamin List, Sonja Mayer
M. Raj, S. K. Ginotra, V. K. Singh*
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
21 September 2006 (online)

Significance

Acetone (3) and several aromatic aldehydes 4 undergo a direct aldol reaction employing proline derivatives 1 or 2 as catalyst (5-10 mol%) in neat acetone. Aliphatic cyclohexane­carbaldehyde was also reacted under these conditions. β-Hydroxy ketones 5 were obtained in moderate yields (55-88%) and excellent enantiomeric ratios (from 90:10 to >99:1) at -40 °C.