Organocatalyzed Direct Aldol Reaction of Silyl Glyoxylates for the Synthesis of α-Hydroxysilanes

A novel organocatalyzed direct aldol reaction of aldehydes to silyl glyoxylates is disclosed. This method provides an efficient route to alpha-hydroxysilanes with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and high diastereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr). In the new activation model of silyl glyoxylates, the hydrogen bond is critical to the reaction. A carbonyl group directly attached to silicon in acylsilanes could be activated by coordination to the proton of hydroxyl and carboxylic acid via a hydrogen bond. Moreover, commercially available cis-L-4-hydroxyproline is an ideal organocatalyst for activating both aldehydes and acylsilanes.