C2-Symmetric Chiral Zinc Alkoxides as Catalysts for the Enantioselective Addition of Diethylzinc to Aryl Aldehydes.

Abstract Various dialkoxides of zinc, magnesium and boron were examined for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aryl aldehydes. Only zinc based reagent catalysed the reaction effectively providing up to 89% ee of the product.