Chemoenzymatic synthesis of optically active 2-(2′- or 4′-substituted-1H-imidazol-1-yl)cycloalkanols: chiral additives for (l)-proline

Abstract

Enantiopure substituted imidazoles obtained by enzymatic kinetic resolution can be promising candidates as co-catalysts for aldol reactions catalysed by (L)-proline. These additives seem to form supramolecular complexes with the catalyst through the formation of H-bonds, leading to significant improvement in both the reaction rates and selectivity of the reaction. Herein, we present our results on the use of these substituted trans-2-imidazoyl-cycloalkanols as additives for the (L)-proline catalyzed direct aldol reaction between ketones and aromatic aldehydes.