Titanium fluoride complexes as catalysts for the enantioselective addition of Me3Al to aldehydes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)02332-6

We report a Ti(IV) catalyst prepared in situ from TiF₄ for the asymmetric addition of trimethylaluminum to aldehydes. The process we detail herein does not necessitate the use of excess trimethylaluminum or Ti(IV) reagent. Good enantioselectivities are achieved with a variety of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes with the products isolated in high yield.