Rationally designed 4-phenoxy substituted prolinamide phenols organocatalyst for the direct aldol reaction in water

A rationally designed 4-phenoxy substituted prolinamide phenols as an efficient hydrophobic organocatalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reaction in water has been developed. High yield (up to 99%), diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1), and enantioselectivity (up to 97%) were obtained under optimal condition. The influence of substituent groups on the reactivity of catalysts was studied in detail.