Solid state aldol reactions of solvated and unsolvated lithium pinacolone enolate aggregates

We reported the first systematic study of the solid-state aldol reactions of solvated and unsolvated lithium pinacolone enolate with a variety of solid aromatic aldehydes utilizing a mortar and pestle condition in comparison with the simple ball milling condition or tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution condition. In solution, the reactions are highly-selective with the aldol condensation product at room temperature. Under the condition of mortar and pestle, the reactions with unsolvated lithium pinacolone enolate showed the mixture of aldol condensation product and aldol addition product at room temperature. With the usage of solvated lithium pinacolone enolate, higher yields for most substrates were obtained. Furthermore, repeating the reactions under a simple ball billing condition with no other precautions at room temperature, we achieved high selectivity and yield of products for all substrates, indicating the powerful ability and the utility of solid-state, mechanochemical aldol reaction conditions. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.