Organocatalytic asymmetric alpha-bromination of aldehydes and ketones

The first organocatalytic enantioselective alpha-bromination of aldehydes and ketones is presented; a C-2-symmetric diphenylpyrrolidine catalyst afforded the alpha-brominated aldehydes in good yields and up to 96% ee, while ketones were alpha-brominated by a C-2-symmetric imidazolidine in up to 94% ee; furthermore, the organocatalytic enantioselective alpha-iodination of aldehydes is also demonstrated to proceed with up to 89% ee.