Enantioselective reaction of diethylzinc with arenecarbaldehydes in the presence of ephedrine derivatives

Abstract

The reaction of diethylzinc with a range of arenecarbaldehydes has been catalysed by N-alkyl ephedrines to give 1-arylpropan-1-ols with good to excellent optical yields. The enantioselectivity of the reaction was substantially improved by the use of a 4 molar excess of the organozinc reagent.