An iron(II) complex with a hindered hydroxyethyl-pybox (he-pybox) ligand shows improved catalytic activity and enantioselectivity for asymmetric Mukaiyama-aldol reactions in aqueous media. This water-stable chiral Lewis acid promotes condensation of aromatic silyl enol ethers with a range of aldehydes with good yields, excellent syn-diastereoselectivity and up to 92% ee. The combination of the same ligand with ZnII salt is also demonstrated as a remarkably efficient and water-compatible chiral Lewis acid.
The asymmetric aldol-Tishchenko reaction of aromatic aldehydes with aliphatic and aromatic ketones has been developed as an efficient strategy for the synthesis of anti-1,3-diols in good yield with high diastereocontrol and good levels of enantioselectivity. This domino-type reaction is catalyzed by a chiral ytterbium complex that promotes both the aldol reaction through enolization of the carbonyl compound and the Evans-Tishchenko reduction of the aldol intermediate. The stereochemistry of the resulting diols is also investigated and finally proved by using CD techniques.
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