Boron etiolate

In contrast, highly stereoselective aldol reactions are feasible when the boron etiolates of the mandelic acid derived ketones (/ )- and (5,)-l- t,r -butyldimethylsiloxy-l-cyclohexyl-2-butanone react with aldehydes33. When these ketones are treated with dialkylboryl triflate, there is exclusive formation of the (Z)-enolates. Subsequent addition to aldehydes leads to the formation of the iyn-adducts whose ratio is 100 1 in optimized cases. 

The reaction of the prolinc derived methyl ketone, via the boron etiolate, with benzalde-hyde leads to the adducts 4 and 5 in a ratio of 83 17. 

Even greater diastereoselectivity in die aldol reaction can be achieved using boron etiolates as the carbon nucleophile. Boron etiolates are easily prepared from aldehydes and ketones, and the syn and die anti isomers can be separated as pure compounds. They react with aldehydes and ketones to give aldol products by a similar transition state. The difference is fliat boron oxygen bonds are shorter than lidiium oxygen bonds, and thus steric interactions in the transition state are magnified and result in greater diastereoselectivity. 

Z)-Dialkylboron etiolates Enol silyl ethers give the boron enolates that undergo on-selective aldol reactions. 

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