Enantioselective phenylation of prochiral aldehydes using a kinetically formed chiral complex between Grignard–zinc halide reagent and N,N-dibutylnorephedrine

Optically active phenylmethanols have been synthesized in good to high enantiomeric excess (up to 82% e.e.) by the enantioselective addition of a kinetically formed complex (between phenyl Grignard–zinc halide and N,N-dibutylnorephedrine) to aliphatic, aromatic and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.