Bimorpholines as Alternative Organocatalysts in Asymmetric Aldol Reactions

Abstract

Asymmetric organocatalytic aldol condensation is discussed on the basis of intramolecular and inter-molecular reactions. In addition to the widely used proline and its derivatives an application of the new type of the organocatalyst – bimorpholines in the above-mentioned reactions is described. The new catalyst has a unique C2-symmetric skeleton with four acceptor sites that makes it stereoselective and efficient. Small changes in the structure of the catalyst lead to a remarkable loss of selectivity.