An exceptionally mild catalytic thioester aldol reaction inspired by polyketide biosynthesis

This report details our discovery of a new catalytic ester aldol reaction using malonic acid half thioesters (MAHTs) that directly affords beta-hydroxythioesters. The reaction is catalyzed by combination of a Cu(II) salt and an amine base, and it can be performed under exceptionally mild conditions (23 degrees C, open to the air, wet solvent). Methyl malonic acid half thioesters afforded syn aldol products with distereoselectivities greater than 6:1.