Direct Asymmetric Zn−Aldol Reaction of Methyl Vinyl Ketone and Its Synthetic Applications

A direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of methyl vinyl ketone is described using our dinuclear zinc catalyst. The obtained aldol adduct functions as a bifunctional building block by utilization of the vinyl functionality. For example, convergent fragment coupling methods have been demonstrated via highly diastereoselective cycloaddition of nitrile oxide after reduction into 1,3-diol or via cross-metathesis reaction.