Solvent-free asymmetric direct aldol reactions organocatalysed by recoverable (Sa)-binam-L-prolinamide

Abstract

The combination of (Sa)-binam-L-Pro (5 mol %) and benzoic acid (10 mol %) was used as catalysts in the direct aldol reaction between different aliphatic ketones and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde under solvent-free reaction conditions. Three different procedures are assayed: magnetic stirring (method A), magnetic stirring after previous dissolution in THF and evaporation (method B), and ball mill technique (method C), methods A and B being the simplest. These reaction conditions allowed us to reduce the amount of required ketone to 2 equiv to give the aldol product in similar reaction times and regio-, diastero-, and enantioselectivities than in organic or aqueous solvents.