Highly enantioselective aldol reactions using a tropos dibenz[c,e]azepine organocatalyst

Abstract The four-step synthesis of a chiral primary tertiary diamine salt, possessing a tropos dibenz[ c , e ]azepine ring is described. It is shown that 3.5–5 mol % of this salt is capable of promoting highly enantioselective crossed-aldol reactions between cyclohexanone and a series of aromatic aldehydes. In all cases, the aldol reactions proceed with high diastereoselectivity for the anti -aldol product. The outcome of crossed-aldol reactions involving other cyclic ketones and acyclic ketones are also described. All examples involving cyclic ketones result in selectivity for the anti -aldol products, whereas acyclic ketones were found to favour the syn -aldol products. A discussion on the role of the chiral primary tertiary diamine salt in the catalysis of the aldol reactions is also presented.