Enantioselective ethylation of aldehydes catalyzed by chiral C 2-symmetrical β-hydroxy-m-xylylene diamines

Abstract

Optically active C 2-symmetric aminoalcohols derived from m-xylylene diamine act as catalysts in enantioselective alkylation of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with diethylzinc. The chemical yields are good, and the enantiomeric excesses vary from moderate to excellent depending on both the aldehyde and the catalyst.