Dramatic catalyst evolution in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

We have observed product eeʹs that begin at 20% at low reaction conversion and rise to 79% ee at the completion of the reaction in the asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to benzaldehyde. This rare behavior is attributed to autoinduction, in which the catalyst evolves by incorporation of the product. Based on this, we have been able to optimize the catalyst by variation of achiral, rather than enantiopure ligands.