First Catalytic Aldol-Transfer Reaction via Aluminum Enolates: A New Way To Generate Aldol Adducts of Aldehydes from Aldol Adducts of Ketones

A cheap and simple aldol source for the aluminum-enolate in the catalytic aldol-transfer reaction opens a new pathway to prepare aldol adducts of ketones from aldehydes (see picture). The catalytic cycle is completed by the addition of the enolate to an aldehyde and the subsequent aldol exchange reaction with the cheap aldol (regenerates the catalyst).