Oxazaborolidione-Catalyzed Asymmetric Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction of Ketones

Significance

The authors have developed an oxazaborolidine (OXB)-catalyzed asymmetric aldol reaction of nonactivated aromatic ketones for the first time. The corresponding tertiary β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds were obtained in excellent enantioselectivities and moderate to good yields. Interestingly, the use of dimethylsilyl ketene S,O-acetal in place of the conventional trimethylsilyl derivative is found to be essential to achieve a catalytic reaction and high selectivity.