Highly enantioselective addition of diphenylzinc to aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by a readily available H8-binol derivative

(Chemical Equation Presented) All sorts of aldehydes 2 (R = aryl, vinyl, branched, and linear alkyl) undergo the highly enantioselective addition of diphenylzinc (1) in the presence of catalytic (S)-4 to give α-substituted benzyl alcohols 3 in high yields. In contrast to previous catalysts, no additive is required, the reaction is carried out at room temperature, and the reaction is equally effective with linear aldehydes. © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.