Substituted Cyclohexadienals - Syntheses and Applications

The present invention is generally directed to the use of L-proline and certain derivatives thereof to catalyze the asymmetric self-condensation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes to form homodimer and heterodimer cyclohexadienals. Reaction conditions are mild and yet amenable to a variety of different substrates yielding molecules with complex scaffolds from simple precursors. This approach allows for diversification and synthesis of this structural class of compounds in sufficient quantity, purity and enantioselectivity for, e.g., biological investigations and use as fluorescent probes, anti-cancer agents, anti-bacterial agents, and/or anti-fungal agents. The present invention is also generally directed to the cyclohexadienals produced.