The Role of Oxazolidinones in l-Proline-Assisted Aldol-Type Reactions.

In this study, the formation of oxazolidinone intermediates along the reaction coordinates of two l-proline-catalyzed reactions was investigated using high-level quantum mechanical calculations. Our results suggest that the final product is produced via routes other than the currently-adopted catalytic cycle for l-proline, including routes where oxazolidinones are directly involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]