Chemistry Letters, Vol.32, No.6, 524-525, 2003
An amino acid co-catalyzed asymmetric aldol reaction
A series of chiral amino acids were found to be effective catalysts in an asymmetric aldol reaction between 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and acetone. Lewis acids and bases were found to effectively promote this reaction. Enantioselectivities greater than 74% (ee) and product yields over 85% were achieved under optimum conditions.