Proline-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Direct Aldol Reaction between 4-Oxoazetidine-2-carbaldehydes and Ketones

Abstract

The reaction of enantiopure 4-oxoazetidine-2-carbaldehydes with unmodified ketones was catalyzed by L-proline as well as by D-proline, to give the corresponding gamma-amino-beta-hydroxy ketones with good yields and diastereoselectivities. The obtained results implied that (2R,3R)-4-oxoazetidine-2-carbaldehydes and L-proline are a matched pair for diastereoselective induction.