Diarylprolinol in an asymmetric aldol reaction of an -alkyl--oxo aldehyde as an electrophileThis article is part of the joint ChemCommOrganic & Biomolecular Chemistry Organocatalysis web themed issue.Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2cc31230a

The direct aldol reaction of an -alkyl--oxo aldehyde was catalyzed by trifluoromethyl-substituted diarylprolinol 1 to afford a -oxo--hydroxy--substituted aldehyde in good yield with excellent anti -selectivity and excellent enantioselectivity. The direct aldol reaction of an -alkyl--oxo aldehyde was catalyzed by trifluoromethyl-substituted diarylprolinol to afford a -oxo--hydroxy--substituted aldehyde in good yield with excellent anti -selectivity and excellent enantioselectivity.