Stereoselective Crossed Aldol Reaction via Boron Enolates Generated from (alpha)-Iodo Ketones and 9-Borabicyclo[3.3.1] nonane

Boron enolates were in situ-generated reductively by treating various (alpha)-iodo ketones such as 2-iodo-1-phenylpropan-1-one, 2-iodo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-1one, 2-iodopentan-3-one, 2-iodo-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one, 3,4-dihydro-2-iodo-1(2H)-naphthalenone, 2-iodo-1-phenylethan-1-one and 1-iodo-4phenylbutan-2-one with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN). Aldols were produced in good yields with good to high diastereoselectivities by subsequent reaction of boron enolates thus formed with various aldehydes. Several boron enolates derived from (alpha)-iodo ketones and pinacolatoborane were successfully isolated by distillation, though the yields were rather moderate.