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Organocatalytic Aldol latest

24 September 2008

Please store to memory: from now on an intramolecular Aldol reaction is called an aldolization or aldolisation if you insist on British English. A recent venture by the List group (DOI) combining aldolization with organocatalysis (see also the Hajos-Parrish reaction) produces both enantiomers of celery ketone with a epiquinine or quinidine based catalyst. Not necessarily new chemistry but altogether a nice display of symmetry. As in related carvone both enantiomers vary wildly in percieved smell.