The role of double hydrogen bonds in asymmetric direct aldol reactions catalyzed by amino amide derivatives

The double hydrogen bonding activation of carbonyl functionality has been a general strategy for the design of amino amide organocatalysts for highly enantioselective direct aldol reactions of various ketones with aldehydes conducted in either organic solvents or aqueous media. Moreover, this concept may suggest an activation mode to create new catalysts for other related asymmetric transformations.