Catalytic asymmetric alkylation of aldehydes by using trialkylboranes

Triethylborane can be used in the asymmetric alkylation of aldehydes by using a 3-(3,5-diphenylphenyl)-H-8-BINOL-derived titanium(IV) catalyst in the presence of an excess amount of titanium tetraisopropoxide. The reaction proceeds with a low catalyst loading (2 mol-%), exhibiting high enantioselectivity for aromatic and unsaturated aldehydes. (C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008.