Gadolinium triflate, Gd

The use of Ln(OTf)3 in the activation of aldehydes other than formaldehyde was also investigated [18]. The model reaction of 1-trimethylsiloxycyclohexene (2) with benzaldehyde under the influence of a catalytic amount of Yb(OTf)3 (10 mol%) was examined. The reaction proceeded smoothly in H20-THF (1 4), but the yields were low when water or THF was used alone. Among several Ln(OTf)3 screened, neodymium triflate (Nd(OTf)3), gadolinium triflate (Gd(OTf)3), Yb(OTf)3, and lutetium triflate (Lu(OTf)3) were quite effective, while the yield of the desired aldol adduct was lower in the presence of lanthanum triflate (La(OTf)3), praseodymium triflate (Pr(OTf)3) or thulium triflate (Tm(OTf)3) (Table 2). 

Pioneering work by Lubineau and coworkers showed that the aldol type reaction between a silyl enol ether and an aldehyde (the so-called Mukaiyama aldol reaction) occurred in water at room temperature with high syn stereoselectivity, albeit in low yields.However, the development of water-tolerant Lewis acids for this reaction has led to improved rates and chemical yields. Various lanthanides triflates, such as ytterbium triflate [Yb(OTf)3], scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)3], gadolinium triflate [Gd(OTf)3], or lutetium triflate [Lu(OTf)3], have been found to afford the aldol products between various aldehydes and silyl enol ethers in high yields in aqueous media, with good to moderate syn/anti diastereoselectivi-ties (Scheme 8.3, Table 8.1). ... 

The dinuclear Gd(III) complex has been obtained by treating the ligand with gadolinium oxide, Gd203, or with gadolinium hydroxide, freshly prepared from the chloride or triflate under basic conditions (pH adjusted to 8.5 with NaOH) in aqueous solution according to equation (2) ... 

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