Synfacts 2010(10): 1194-1194  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1258668
Organo- and Biocatalysis
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Direct Aldol Reactions of Glyoxylates

Contributor(s): Benjamin List, Steffen Müller
G. Pousse, F. Le Cavelier, L. Humphreys, J. Rouden, J. Blanchet*
Université de Caen, France and GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 September 2010 (online)

Significance

A Brønsted acid catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol reaction of ketones with glyoxylates is reported. Chiral phosphoric acid 1 was found to be a suitable catalyst for the reaction of ethylglyoxylate with various ketones. The corresponding aldol products were obtained in moderate to good enantioselectivities and good yields. Also the recyclability of the catalyst was demonstrated. The syn-diastereoselectivity of this method complements analogous sec-amine-catalyzed reactions.