Homogeneous catalysis. Mechanisms of the catalysed Mukaiyama cross-aldol reaction

Abstract

It is shown that [2 + 2] addition intermediates can form reversibly in the catalysed Mukaiyama reaction; these serve to prevent formation of the catalyst Me₃Si⁺ and the reactivities of the [2 + 2] intermediates can affect the enantioselectivity of the reaction.