Catalytic Generation of Activated Carboxylates:  Direct, Stereoselective Synthesis of β-Hydroxyesters from Epoxyaldehydes

Abstract

The catalytic generation of activated carboxylates from epoxyaldehydes enables the direct, stereoselective synthesis of beta-hydroxyesters under mild, convenient reaction conditions. In addition to providing a new method for the synthesis of anti-aldol adducts, this chemistry unveils a mechanistically viable solution to the catalytic, waste-free synthesis of esters.