In memory of Professor Jean Normant, with deepest respect and gratitude.
This personal account summarizes our recent work regarding the addition of allenyl cuprates to aldehydes. An intertwined experimental and theoretical study enables highlighting of the crucial role of Li+ as a structuring agent in the different intermediates and transition states involved, and thus on the diastereochemical outcome of the reaction.
Key words
homopropargylic alcohols - allene - cuprate - lithium - diastereoselectivity - DFT calculations