Diaklylaluminum chloride catalyzed ene reactions of aldehydes. Synthesis of ipsenol

Abstract

Dimethylaluminum chloride which is a mild Lewis acid and a proton scavenger, catalyzes the ene reactions of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Proton initiated rearrangements do not occur, since the alcohol-Lewis acid complex formed in the ene reaction rapidly to give methane and a non-acidic aluminum alkoxide. © 1980.