Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol Addition of an α-CF Amide to Arylglyoxal Hydrates.

Direct asymmetric aldol addition of an α-CF amide to arylglyoxal hydrates was promoted by a chiral catalyst comprising a soft Lewis acidic Cu(I), a chiral bisphosphine ligand, and DBU. The 7-azaindoline moiety of the amide facilitates its enolization and stabilizes the thus-generated Cu enolate, furnishing enantioenriched aldol adducts.