A catalytic enantioselective thioacetalization reaction has been developed. Various
aldehydes react with unsymmetrical 1,3- or 1,2-dithiols to furnish chiral, enantioenriched
thioacetals in excellent enantioselectivities upon treatment with a nitrated imidodiphosphoric
acid catalyst. The transformation is assumed to proceed via a thionium ion intermediate.
Key words
thioacetals - imidodiphosphates - Brønsted acid catalysis