European Journal of Organic Chemistry

Rapid Organocatalytic Aldehyde??Aldehyde Condensation Reactions

A Erkkilä, PM Pihko

Index: Erkkilae, Anniina; Pihko, Petri M. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2007 , # 25 p. 4205 - 4216

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Citation Number: 31

Abstract

Abstract We report the results of the systematic optimization of the α-methylenation of aldehydes with aqueous formaldehyde. A simple combination of a secondary amine catalyst and a weak acid co-catalyst has been identified, allowing access to α-substituted acroleins in a matter of minutes. In the absence of formaldehyde, the catalytic system promoted the self-condensation reaction of α, β-unsaturated aldehydes. Both of these reactions ...