A highly efficient quinine-derived primary-amine-catalyzed asymmetric aldol addition of hydroxyacetone to arylglyoxals is described. Structurally diverse anti-2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-diones were generated in high yields, with good diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities.
Keywords: 2,3-Dihydroxy-1,4-dione; aldol reaction; arylglyoxal; asymmetric synthesis; organocatalysis.