An enantioselective nucleophilic addition of α,β-unsaturated trifluoromethylketones catalyzed by l-proline derivatives

An unexpected enantioselective 1,2-aldol reaction of acetone with α,β-unsaturated trifluoromethylketone catalyzed by l-proline derivative was described. The absolute configuration of the resulting chiral product was assigned based on a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Structure–reactivity study of this organocatalytic system was briefly discussed. A reaction mechanism was tentatively postulated.