Asymmetric aldol reactions of α,β-unsaturated ketoester substrates catalyzed by chiral diamines.

Highly efficient asymmetric aldol reactions between α,β-unsaturated keto esters and acyclic ketones catalyzed by chiral diamines are reported. The corresponding products were obtained in excellent yields with excellent enantioselectivities. The absolute configuration for the product was determined by X-ray analysis.