“…GSK workers sought to optimize the PTC-mediated aldol condensation between an aromatic aldehyde and thiazalone 144 to generate aldol adducts 145 and 146 , which upon acidification yielded olefin 147 (Scheme ). They employed a D-optimal design to probe the impact of the qualitative factors of solvent (2-BuOH, toluene, 2-MeTHF, MIBK, i- PrOAc), Lewis acid (none, Sc(OTf) 3 , Y(OTf) 3 , Yb(OTf) 3 ), base (50% NaOH, 2 N NaOH (with and without brine), 50% K 2 CO 3 , 25% KHCO 3 ), and phase-transfer agent (Aliquat 128, ( n- Bu) 4 NHSO 4 , BnEt 3 NCl).…”