A new class of chiral Lewis basic metal-free catalysts for stereoselective allylations of aldehydes

A new class of amine N-oxides derived from trans-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine were synthesized in enantiomerically pure form and tested as metal-free catalysts in the reaction of aldehydes with allyl(trichloro)silane to afford homoallylic alcohols. The products were obtained in fair to good yields and up to 85% ee. The behavior of structurally different catalysts and the influence of a coordinating unit present in the organocatalyst on controlling the stereochemical efficiency of the reaction were also investigated. Noteworthy a catalyst capable of promoting the allylation of aliphatic aldehydes with an almost unprecedent and unusually high enantioselectivity, up to 85%, was identified.