A triple-aldol cascade reaction for the rapid assembly of polyketides
(Figure Presented) Triple play: The title reaction of 1 with simple aldehydes gives 3,5,7-trisilyloxy aldehydes in high yields and diastereoselectivities with extremely low catalyst loading (see scheme). lodobenzene facil-itates the third aldol reaction by apparently acting as a Lewis base towards the silyl catalyst. Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonyl.