Lewis base activation of Lewis acids. Vinylogous aldol reactions

A highly regioselective vinylogous aldol reaction catalyzed by SiCl₄ and a chiral phosphoramide (R,R)-5, providing δ-hydroxy enones for a variety of aldehyde and dienol ether structures, has been developed. Low catalyst loadings (1 mol %) can be employed, giving the products in good yields, excellent enantioselectivities, and in some cases excellent anti diastereoselectivities. Both simple ester-derived dienol ethers as well as dioxanone-derived dienol ethers are employed. The observed regioselectivity is rationalized in terms of the sensitivity of the catalyst to the steric demands of the nucleophile.