Direct Formation of Synthetically Useful Silyl-Protected Aldol Adducts via the Asymmetric Reductive Aldol Reaction

Examination of different silane reducing agents in the reductive aldol reaction revealed that Me2i-PrSiH is highly selective for formation of the silylated aldol adduct versus the derived acylated adduct. This silicon group provides more robust protection for the product (beta)-hydroxyl group than the diethylmethylsilyl group, which was employed previously.