Enantioselective Transfer Reaction of Phenyl to Aldehydes Using LProline- Derived Amino Alcohols as Chiral Ligands

((S)-1-(1,3,5-trimethyl)benzylpyrrolidin-2-yl)diphenylmethanol (1d) was found to be an effective chiral ligand in the asymmetric transfer reaction of phenyl to aldehydes to give the corresponding adducts in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) with very high yields (up to 99%).