Regioselective aldol condensations of a cholestanone-derived dialdehyde: new twists on a classic reaction

Methods have been developed for the regioselective formation of both aldol condensation products from a non-symmetrical dialdehyde derived from 5α-cholestan-3-one. The findings disclosed herein, as well as their mechanistic implications, should assist in achieving selective intramolecular aldol closures in other contexts.