Synthesis of α-diazo-β-hydroxy esters using nanocrystalline MgO

Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide (NAP-MgO) has been found to be an effective heterogeneous, solid base catalyst for the direct aldol type reaction of ethyl diazoacetate and various aldehydes to afford the corresponding α-diazo-β-hydroxy esters in excellent yields with high selectivity under mild conditions.