An Asymmetric Organocatalytic Aldol Reaction of a Hydrophobic Aldehyde in Aqueous Medium Running in Flow Mode

Abstract

Reaction conditions have been identified to conduct a one-pot asymmetric organocatalytic aldol reaction with a hydrophobic substrate in aqueous medium via a process running in flow mode. By employing a mixture of water and 2-propanol, a hydrophobic aldehyde and 3.6 mol% of an organocatalyst, this microreactor process affords the desired aldol adduct with a conversion of 74% and an enantioselectivity of 89% after a reaction time of 60 minutes.