Abstract In a neodymium (III) iodide induced process, α-bromo ketones 1 and aldehydes 2 are effectively converted into aldol products 3. This Reformatsky-type reaction proceeds through the formation of a neodymium enolate at room temperature in CH 2 Cl 2. The analogous reaction in the presence of NdBr 3/NaI at 50 C in THF favors the formation of corresponding aldol–Tishchenko products 5 in good yields. Studies to define the scope ...
