Systems for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction

Catalytic Systems for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction 

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The most efficient catalyst system for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of methyl vinyl ketone has been reported by Miller [183, 184], Use of L-proline (58) (10 mol%) in conjunction with the A-methyl imidazole containing hexapeptide 131 (10 mol%) provided an efficient platform for the reaction of 125 with a series of aromatic aldehydes 127 (52-95% yield 45-81% ee) (Scheme 52). Importantly, it was shown that the absolute configuration of the proline catalyst was the major factor in directing the stereochemical outcome of the reaction and not the complex peptide backbone. 

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