Catalytic Asymmetric Cyano-Ethoxycarbonylation Reaction of Aldehydes Using a Novel C2-Symmetric Chiral N,N-Dioxide Titanium Complex

The asymmetric addition of ethyl cyanoformate to a range of aldehydes was efficiently catalyzed by a easily prepared C2-symmetric chiral N,Nʹ-dioxide-Ti(IV) complex in high yields with up to 90% ee under mild conditions. A linear effect between the enantiopurity of the ligand and the enantiopurity of the product was observed.