Enantioselective addition Of diketene to aldehydes promoted by chiral schiff base—titanium alkoxide complex. Application to asymmetric synthesis of potential inhibitors of HMG coenzyme reductase

Highly enantioselective addition of diketene to aldehydes was achieved by using novel Schiff base—titanium alkoxide complexes. Up to 92% ee of 5‐hydroxy‐3‐oxoesters was obtained. This procedure provides an efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of potential inhibitors of HMG coenzyme reductase.