Stereoselective Crossed Aldol Reaction via Boron Enolates Generated from alpha-Iodo Ketones and 9-Borabicyclo [3.3.1]nonane

Boron enolates were in situ-generated reductively by treating various ?-iodo ketones such as 2-iodo-1-phenylpropan-1-one, 2iodo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-1-one, 2-iodopentan-3-one, 2-iodo-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one, 3,4-dihydro-2-iodo-1 (2H)-naphthalenone, 2-iodo-1-phenylethan-1-one and 1-iodo-4-phenylbutan-2-one with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9BBN). Aldols were produced in good yields with good to high diastereoselectivities by subsequent reaction of boron enolates thus formed with various aldehydes. Several boron enolates derived from alpha-iodo ketones and pinacolatoborane were successfully isolated by distillation, though the yields were rather moderate.