The intermediate generated by the DIBALH reduction of carboxylic acid esters undergoes a boron trifluoride promoted aldol reaction with silyl ketene acetals to afford the corresponding /3-hydroxy carboxylic acids esters in good yield.The low-temperature DIBALH reduction of carboxylic acid esters is of enormous synthetic value because it permits a one-step conversion of such esters to aldehydes.1 One reason that overreduction is not a problem may be that the strength of the Al-0 bond inhibits expulsion of alkoxide ion from the intermediate 2.2 Of the intermediates that are generated by DIBALH reductions appar-
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