Highly Enantioselective Addition of Me₂Zn to Aldehydes Catalyzed by ClCr(Salen)

High enantiomeric excesses are obtained in the addition of Me₂Zn catalyzed by commercially available ClCr(Salen). Broad scope, simple procedure, room temperature, low catalyst loading are the characteristics of this new enantioselective process, which uses the rather unreactive Me₂Zn. Enantiomeric excesses in the range of 71−99% are obtained with all the aldehydes tested.