The mimic of type II aldolases chemistry: Asymmetric synthesis of β-Hydroxy Ketones by Direct Aldol Reaction: Research Letter

Abstract

An efficient direct aldol reaction has been developed for the synthesis of chiral β-hydroxy ketone using a combination of C1-symmetric chiral prolinamides based on o-phenylenediamine and zinc triflate as catalyst. The reaction was convenient to carry out in aqueous media with up to 98% chemical yields and up to 94% ee values. The current strategy can be regarded as the analogue of aldolase type II, which suggests a new pathway for the designing of new organocatalysts. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.