Efficient enantioselective additions of terminal alkynes and aldehydes under operationally convenient conditions

[GRAPHICS] The enantioselective addition reaction of terminal acetylenes and aldehydes mediated by Zn(OTf)(2) and N-methyl ephedrine can be conducted with reagent grade solvent containing 84-1000 ppm H2O. The products can be isolated in high yield and useful enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).