Lithium Acetate Catalyzed Aldol Reaction between Aldehyde and Trimethylsilyl Enolate in a Dimethylformamide–H2O Solvent

Abstract
Lithium acetate catalyzed aldol reaction between trimethylsilyl enolates and aldehydes in a DMF–H2O (50:1) solvent proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding aldols in good to high yields. It is noted that trimethylsilyl enolates derived from carboxylic esters behaved as excellent nucleophiles in the above reaction.