Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Trifluoromethyl tert‐Alcohols and Amines via Organocatalyst‐Mediated Aldol and Mannich Reactions

The asymmetric aldol reaction of ethyl trifluoropyruvate with aldehydes was developed using diarylprolinol as a catalyst, affording α‐trifluoromethyl‐substituted tertiary alcohols with high enantioselectivity. Similarly, the asymmetric Mannich reaction of aldehydes with an imine derived from ethyl trifluoropyruvate was developed using diphenylprolinol silyl ether in combination with an acid, yielding α‐trifluoromethyl‐substituted tertiary amines. The absolute and relative configurations of the products were determined by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD).