Organocatalytic Asymmetric Aldol Reaction of Ketones with β,γ-Unsaturated α-Keto Esters: An Efficient Access to Chiral Tertiary Alcohol Skeletons

This update describes a highly efficient organocatalytic aldol reaction of ketones and beta,gamma-unsaturated alpha-keto esters for constructing the chiral tertiary alcohol motif. With the application of 9-amino(9-deoxy)epi-Cinchona alkaloid and an acidic additive as catalysts, both acyclic and cyclic ketones react with beta,gamma-unsaturated alpha-keto esters smoothly to afford aldol adducts in good to excellent yields and asymmetric induction. This protocol offers a new pathway for the construction of adjacent chiral carbon centers and the synthesis of chiral beta-hydroxy carbonyl compounds.