Stereoselective Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes Using Chiral β-Hydroxy-2-oxazolines as Catalysts

Chiral β-hydroxy-2-oxazolines were synthesized and evaluated as catalysts for the addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes. All oxazolines proved effective in obtaining the addition products. The best enantiomeric excesses (69-78%) were obtained using the chiral β-hydroxy oxazoline derived from (−)-menthone and the amino alcohol 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol.