Direct asymmetric aldol-Tishchenko reaction of aliphatic ketones catalyzed by syn-aminoalcohol–Yb(III) complexes

The asymmetric direct aldol condensation of aldehydes with ethyl- and propylketones is catalyzed by syn-(alpha)aminoalcohol–Yb(OTf)3 complexes, yielding the anti-1,3-diol monoesters with high diastereocontrol and good enantioselectivity. Three adjacent stereogenic centers are created in a simultaneous aldol condensation and Evans– Tishchenko reduction in an acyclic system.