Rational combination of two privileged chiral backbones: highly efficient organocatalysts for asymmetric direct aldol reactions between aromatic aldehydes and acyclic ketones

The article discusses the design and synthesis of a new class of organocatalysts, which are prepared by the rational combination of proline and cinchona alkaloids, the two privileged chiral backbones. These organocatalysts are shown to be extremely useful for the asymmetric direct aldol reactions taking place between the aromatic aldehydes and acyclic ketones.