Enantioselective synthesis of anti- and syn-β-hydroxy-α-phenyl carboxylates via boron-mediated asymmetric aldol reaction

Abstract

A reagent-controlled, diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of anti- and syn-β-hydroxy-α-phenyl carboxylates has been achieved by the proper choice of solvent, temperature, alkoxy group, and amine for the diisopinocampheylboron-mediated asymmetric enolization–aldolization of phenylacetates. The pure diastereomers can be readily separated by column chromatography.