The First Mimetic of the Transketolase Reaction

Although the biocatalytic formation of acyclic α,α′‐dihydroxy ketones by transketolase is well documented in the literature, there is currently no one‐pot chemical synthesis of these dihydroxy ketones available. Here, we report preliminary results of an atom‐efficient one‐pot synthesis of α,α′‐dihydroxy ketones in water by a mimic of the transketolase reaction. The formation of a quaternary ammonium enolate is postulated in this tertiary‐amine‐mediated carbon–carbon bond‐forming reaction. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)