Indium hydride catalyzed chemo- and diastereoselective reductive aldol reactions

The reductive aldol reaction of enones has been established catalyzed by Br2InOMe (cat.)–MePhSiH2 system where Br2InH acted as an active catalytic species. Addition of 1.0 equivalent of MeOH was essential for catalytic turnover. The system, Br2InOMe(cat.)–MePhSiH2–MeOH, provided highly chemo- and diastereoselective reductive aldol reaction of enones with functionalized substrates such as α-bromo carbonyls, α-keto esters and α-alkoxy ketones.