Diastereoselective Aldol Reaction of (alpha)-Bromo Ketones with Aliphatic Aldehydes by Using Titanium(II) Chloride and Copper

Highly diastereoselective aldol reaction of (alpha)-bromo ketones with aliphatic aldehydes was successfully carried out by using titanium(II) chloride and copper in dichloromethane at low temperature. Similarly, Reformatsky-type reaction of (alpha)-bromo thioester with aliphatic aldehydes was promoted under mild conditions to afford (beta)-hydroxy thioesters in good to moderate yields.