A chiral iron(II)–pybox catalyst stable in aqueous media. Asymmetric Mukaiyama–aldol reaction

Among various transition metals, iron is nontoxic, cheap and hence of great potential synthetic use. We report herein a water stable chiral Lewis acid containing an iron(II) ion and a pybox-type ligand. The resulting cationic aqua complex of C2-symmetry is an effective Lewis acid catalyst for asymmetric Mukaiyama–aldol reactions in aqueous media. The aldol products have been obtained in good yields, syn-diastereoselectivities and ca. 70% levels of enantioselectivity.