Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched secondary and tertiary phenylthio- and phenoxy-aldols

alpha-Phenoxy- and phenylthio-ketones have been explored as donors and acceptors in organocatalytic aldol reactions. Our studies have revealed effective methodologies for accessing structurally varied and enantiomerically enriched secondary and tertiary phenylthio- and phenoxy-aldols, expanding the scope and potential synthetic utility of organocatalytic direct aldol reactions. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.