Enantioselective aldol reactions of α,β-unsaturated ketones with trifluoroacetophenone catalyzed by a chiral primary amine

Chiral primary amine catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol reactions of ketones with trifluoroacetophenone, afforded trifluoromethylated beta-hydroxycarbonyl aldol products bearing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center in high yields (up to 93% yield) and with high to excellent enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.