Enantioselective addition of diethyl zinc to benzaldehyde catalyzed by Ti(IV) and glucose derivatives

Abstract

D-Glucose derivatives 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropyline-a-D-glucofuranose (1) and 1,2-O-isopropyline-a-D-glucofuranose (2) with Ti(IV) are chiral catalysts in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. The Ti(IV)-carbohydrate catalytic system is optimal with excess Ti(IV) and substoichiometric carbohydrate and 2 is the more active chiral catalyst probably because this derivative acts as a bidentate ligand in the proposed reaction. The arrangement of OH groups is crucial in determining the configuration of the alcohol product.