Direct asymmetric aldol reaction of acetophenones with aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by chiral Al/Zn heterobimetallic compounds

详细

Chiral Al/Zn heterobimetallic complexes are effective catalysts for the direct highly enantioselective aldol reaction of acetophenones with aromatic aldehydes. The Al site in the complex acts as a Lewis acid to activate aldehyde, whereas ethylzinc alkoxide plays a role of a Brønsted base to form a reactive zinc enolate with acetophenone. Distinct nature of two different metals contributes to the efficient direct asymmetric aldol reaction.