Asymmetric Autocatalysis Initiated by Chiral Ephedrine Immobilized on Silica Gel in a Diisopropylzinc Addition to Pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde

5-Pyrimidyl alkanol with up to 97% ee was formed using chiral ephedrine immobilized on silica gel in the enantioselective addition of diisopropylzinc to pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde in conjunction with asymmetric autocatalysis.