Catalyzed acyl halidealdehyde cyclocondensations. New insights into the design of catalytic cross aldol reactions

Abstract Substoichiometric quantities (2.5–20 mol%) of Al(SbF 6 ) 3 catalyze the di(isopropyl)ethylamine-mediated cyclocondensation of various acyl halides and enolizable aldehydes to afford β-lactones in good yields (58–93%). These reactions are discussed as a strategy for executing chemo- and regiospecific catalyzed cross aldol reactions.