A New and Highly Effectiwe Aldol Synthesis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.53.3301

A new approach has been demonstrated for the regiospecific aldol synthesis by the simultaneous addition of α-halo carbonyl derivatives and aldehydes or ketones to a suspension of diethylaluminium chloride and zinc in tetrahydrofuran at low temperature.This technique is also employable under mild conditions for the Reformatsky reaction to give β-hydroxy esters in excellent yield.One of the unique synthetic applications of this process is illustrated by the intramolecular cyclization of α-bromo esters of ω-hydroxy aldehyde,which produces macrolides, an important cla ss of compounds in the antibiotic field.