Stereoselective titanium-mediated aldol reactions of α-benzyloxy methyl ketones

Good levels of 1,4-anti asymmetric induction are obtained in the TiCl3(i-PrO)-mediated aldol reaction of chiral α-benzyloxy methyl ketones with a wide array of aldehydes. This methodology represents a new approach to substrate-controlled acetate aldol reactions capable of providing highly functionalized fragments in a straightforward manner, which may be useful in the design of more efficient syntheses.