Stereoselective acetate aldol reactions of α-silyloxy ketones

TiCl4-mediated aldol reactions of chiral methyl α-silyloxy ketones with a variety of aldehydes provide the corresponding 1,4-syn aldol adducts with moderate to high stereocontrol. This transformation represents a new approach to substrate-controlled acetate aldol reactions and complements the 1,4-anti asymmetric induction produced by the related α-benzyloxy ketones. This new approach could be useful in the design of more efficient syntheses of natural products.