Organocatalytic aldol and domino Michael-aldol reactions of α,α-difluoro-β-keto esters with acetone

Organocatalyzed reactions of α,α-difluoro-β-keto esters with acetone were demonstrated. In the presence of L-proline, the Aldol reaction occurred under mild conditions to give the corresponding tertiary α,α-difluoroalcohols in good yields with high enantioselectivities. Using pyrrolidine as catalyst, the domino Michael-aldol reaction took place readily to give the corresponding addition products in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities.