The DIBAL reduction of 2-phenylethyl 3, 3, 3-trifluoro-2-methylpropionate 2 at-78° C afforded the aluminum acetal 3, and this intermediate, on worming up to 0° C, was found to slowly decompose into the corresponding aldehyde 4, which smoothly reacted with appropriate nucleophiles in a one-pot manner in good to excellent yields with up to 93% diastereoselectivity.
