Enantioselective catalytic Mukaiyama aldol reaction in pure water has been carried out by using a combination of iron(II) dodecyl sulfate [Fe(DS)2], a chiral bipyridine ligand and benzoic acid. Using the obtained iron(II)-derived Lewis-acid-surfactantcombined catalyst (LASC), the desired products were afforded in high yields with very good diastereo-and enantioselectivities.

A highly enantioselective method for the catalytic cis-stilbene oxide opening reaction with indole derivatives was developed. The scope of the reaction was studied with a selection of aromatic meso-epoxides and various indoles, and the desired β-hydroxy indole derivatives were obtained in good to 10 excellent yields with excellent enantioselectivities (from 96 to > 99% ee).The meso-epoxide opening reaction is well-recognized as one of the most powerful, atom-economical bond-forming reactions.

A mild method for the diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction is reported. In the presence of a low catalyst loading of gallium(III) triflate (down to 0.01 mol-%), the transformation proceeds efficiently to afford the corresponding β-hydroxyketones in yields of up to 92%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a metal triflate acting as a safe and bench-stable slow-releasing source of triflic acid for the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. ____________ [a]Prof.

Highly Enantioselective Iron(II)-Catalyzed Opening Reaction of Aromatic meso--Epoxides with Indoles. -Unprecedented high enantioselectivities are obtained in the ring opening of cis-stilbene oxide (II) with indoles (I) using iron perchlorate and a chiral bipyridine ligand as catalyst system. The scope of the reaction is studied with a selection of aromatic meso-epoxides (VI) and various indole derivatives such as (IV). -(PLANCQ, B.; LAFANTAISIE, M.; COMPANYS, S.; MAROUN, C.; OLLEVIER*, T.; Org. Biomol. Chem. 11 (2013) 43, 7463-7466, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c3ob41782d ; Dep. Chim., Univ. Laval, Quebec City, Que. G1V 0A6, Can.; Eng.) -M. Paetzel 12-107

Ga(OTf)3 is a safe and bench-stable catalyst and act as a HOTf surrogate. The reaction of ortho-substituted benzaldehydes (If) and (Ig) affords the anti-aldol as a main product. -(PLANCQ, B.; JUSTAFORT, L. C.; LAFANTAISIE, M.; OLLEVIER*, T.; Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2013, 29, 6525-6529, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201301100 ; Dep. Chim., Univ. Laval, Quebec City, Que. G1V 0A6, Can.; Eng.) -C. Gebhardt