Proline-coated gold nanoparticles as a highly efficient nanocatalyst for the enantioselective direct aldol reaction in water

Abstract

Reported is an efficient approach to the synthesis of water-soluble proline-coated gold nanoparticles through a place exchange reaction between pentanethiolate stabilized gold nanoparticles and a proline-tethered amphiphilic thiol. Preliminary studies show that the nanocatalyst is highly active in an enamine type aldolisation leading to the desired product with nearly perfect diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity using water as an innocuous solvent.