Direct, pyrrolidine sulfonamide promoted enantioselective aldol reactions of α,α-dialkyl aldehydes: synthesis of quaternary carbon-containing β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds

A procedure has been developed for direct, asymmetric aldol reactions of α,α-dialkyl aldehydes with aromatic aldehydes, which produces quaternary carbon-containing β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds. The processes, promoted by the organocatalyst (S) pyrrolidine sulfonamide, take place in high yields with exceptionally high levels of enantioselectivities.