Water-Compatible Organocatalysts for Direct Asymmetric syn-Aldol Reactions of Dihydroxyacetone and Aldehydes

A novel organocatalyst was developed that effectively catalyzed the reactions of unprotected or protected dihydroxyacetone with a variety of aldehydes to provide syn-aldol products with good yields and ee values up to >99%. Significantly, this amide catalyst was effective with a variety of nonaromatic aldehyde acceptors that had proven difficult in the presence of other catalysts. Reactions of protected dihydroxyacetone proceeded in aqueous media without addition of organic solvents.