Felkin–Anh selectivity in Rh(bisoxazolinylphenyl)-catalyzed reductive aldol coupling reaction: asymmetric synthesis of stereotriads

The catalytic reductive aldol coupling of 2-phenylpropionaldehyde and acrylate derivatives with rhodium-bisoxazolinyl catalysts resulted in high Felkin–Anh selectivity (β,γ-syn) up to 98% accompanied by α,β-anti diastereoselectivity and high enantiomeric excesses up to 99%.