Diastereo- and Enantioselective Direct Henry Reaction of Pyruvates Mediated by Chiral P-Spiro Tetraaminophosphonium Salts

The stereoselective direct Henry reaction of pyruvates mediated by chiral P-spiro tetraaminophosphonium salts is described. High levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivities have been achieved by the use of L-valine-derived (P,S)-2e bearing para-chlorophenyl groups as a precatalyst.