The Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

In the synthesis of complex molecular targets, the ability to control the stereoselectivity of the aldol reaction has raised this process to a level of prominence shared by few reactions. In most cases, however, the stoichiometric transformation of the active methylene partner into its enolate or an enol derivative is a drawback. Only recently have several reports addressed simple aldol addition involving both chemo- and enantioselectivity through use of catalysts. This paper presents recent advances in the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction with chemical catalysis. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2002)