Chemistry Letters, Vol.32, No.7, 584-585, 2003
Enantioselective addition of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan to aldehydes using Cr(salen) as catalyst. Effect of water on enantioselectivity
Cationic (R,R)-Cr(salen) complex 2 was found to catalyze enantioselective addition of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan to aldehydes to give 5-substituted butenolides, though diastereoselectivity was only modest. The presence of a small amount of water is essential for achieving high enantioselectivity.