Inhibition of imidazolidinone intermediate formation in the aldol reactions catalyzed by zinc–prolinamide complexes

The use of zinc salts as cocatalysts in aldol condensations catalyzed by single prolinamide (and in the extension by other more complex prolinamides) can prevent the formation of the parasitic intermediate imidazolidinone, with faster and also more stereoselective reactions than those catalyzed by the free amine. This new finding, together with this ion’s already known properties, make zinc salts highly suitable additives for aldol reactions catalyzed for prolinamide derivatives.