Catalytic asymmetric allylation of aldehydes via a chiral indium(III) complex

A chiral indium complex has been discovered to effect high enantioselectivities in the addition of allyltributyl stannanes to aldehydes. The allylation of a variety of aromatic,(alpha),(beta)-unsaturated and aliphatic aldehydes resulted in good yields and high enantioselectivities (90–96% ee).