Copper(I)-catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective tandem reductive aldol reaction

[Structure: see text] An efficient method for the enantioselective tandem reductive aldol reaction of methyl acrylate with aldehydes is reported. By using a copper(I) precursor and a proper diphosphane ligand, high reactivities can be reached, with TOF up to 40,000 h-1. Taniaphos-based ligands lead to enantioselectivities of up to 97% in the case of the major syn diastereoisomer.