Methyl 12-[d-prolinoylamino]cholate as a versatile organocatalyst for the asymmetric aldol reaction of cyclic ketones

The use of cholic acid derivative 1, bearing a d-prolinamide moiety linked at the 12-position of cholic acid methylester, as an organocatalyst in the asymmetric aldol reaction of cyclic ketones and aromatic aldehydes, gave the corresponding aldol products in good yield and ee up to 98%. This organocatalyst has proven to be efficient both in water and in organic solvent, where it has been used with a 1% loading.