Synlett 2005(10): 1627-1629  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-869864
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Proline-Catalyzed Asymmetric Direct Aldol Reaction Assisted by d-Camphorsulfonic Acid in Aqueous Media

Yin-Su Wua,b, Yi Chena, Dong-Sheng Denga, Jiwen Cai*a
a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
b Chemistry college, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050016, P. R. China
Fax: +86(20)84112245; e-Mail: puscjw@zsu.edu.cn;
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 June 2005 (online)

Abstract

Asymmetric aldol reactions of aromatic aldehydes with various ketones catalyzed by l-proline with d-camphorsulfonic acid as co-catalyst have been developed in aqueous media. High reactivity and modest to excellent enantioselectivity has been achieved.

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Typical Procedure (Table [1] , entry 3): Anhyd acetone (2.0 mL, dried with K2CO3 before use) was added to p-nitro-benzaldehyde (75 mg, 0.5 mmol), followed by l-proline (20 mol%) and d-CSA (10 mol%) dissolved in water (0.5 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. for 12 h. After treating the reaction mixture with saturated aq NaHCO3 (5 mL), the aqueous layer was separated, and extracted with EtOAc three times. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (5 mL), dried over anhyd Mg2SO4, and concentrated. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography (Silica gel plates GF254, hexane-EtOAc) to give the aldol product (76.3 mg). The anti/syn ratio is established by 1H NMR; d = 4.83 ppm (J = 9.0 Hz) - CH of the anti-isomer; 5.42 ppm (J = 2.7 Hz) - CH of the syn-isomer (Table [4] , entry 1). The ee values were determined by HPLC, Daicel chiralpak AS-RH.