We have developed a new protocol for making aldol adducts in a one-pot reaction between esters and silyl enol ethers in the presence of DIBALH without isolating the intermediate aldehydes. Lewis acid activation of the initially formed aluminated hemiacetals produces highly reactive electrophilic aldehyde equivalents in situ. Using this protocol, various aldol adducts can be readily obtained in up to 90% yield on a large scale.
aldol reaction - reduction - esters - aldehydes - aluminated hemiacetals - one-pot reaction