Asymmetric aldol reaction using a very simple primary amine catalyst: divergent stereoselectivity by using 2,6-difluorophenyl moiety

Asymmetric aldol reactions of aliphatic ketones or aldehydes with aromatic aldehydes or isatins were catalyzed by a very simple and flexible N-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-l-valinamide. Interestingly, stereochemical course of the reaction of hydroxyacetones or α-branched aliphatic aldehydes as aldol donors was different from that of cycloalkanones.