Asymmetric Organocatalytic Aldol Reaction in Water: Mechanistic Insights and Development of a Semi-Continuously Operating Process

Abstract

A detailed study on the impact of the catalyst loading on conversion and enantioselectivity of the direct aldol reaction of an aldehyde and acetone in aqueous solvent with nonimmobilized and immobilized proline amide-based organocatalysts is described. Based on a polymer-supported catalyst, batch and semi-continuously operating processes, comprising recycling studies in the latter case, were investigated.