Enantioselective Direct Aldol Reaction “on Water” Promoted by Chiral Organic Catalysts

1,1‘-Binaphthyl-2,2‘-diamine-based (S)-prolinamides in the presence of stearic acid were able to promote the direct aldol condensation of cyclohexanone and other ketones with different aldehydes in the presence of a massive amount of water in very good yields, high diastereoselectivity, and up to 99% ee. The behavior of both C 2- and C 1-symmetric catalysts in combination with different additives was investigated, and a preliminary experiment of recovering and recycling of the catalytic system was also attempted.