Highly regioselective α-alkylation of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes

The first alpha-alkylation of alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated aldehydes is achieved under mild reaction conditions. Several alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated aldehydes and diarylcarbinols are successfully tested for the synthesis of MBH-type alpha-alkylated products with an excellent regioselectivity. Simple pyrrolidine is efficiently used as a catalyst to achieve a perfect E/Z selectivity of the alpha-alkylated products.