Asymmetric reaction of diethylzinc with aldehydes catalyzed by l‐menthopyrazole derivatives

N‐Hydroxyalkyl‐1‐menthopyrazoles acted as a chiral catalyst for the diethylzinc ( 1 ) addition to aromatic aldehydes, and 1‐aryl‐1‐propanols were afforded enantioselectively. These reactions were carried out optimally in toluene at 40 °C in the presence of 30 mol% of (2′S)‐2‐(2‐phenyl‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐phenyl‐1‐men‐thopyrazole ((S)‐ 16d ) to afford optically active 1‐aryl‐1‐propanols up to 70% ee (S).