DFT Study on the Origin of the Enantioselectivity of (S)-4-HydroxyIproline-Catalyzed Direct Aldol Reaction between Acetone and 4-Nitrobenzaldehyde

摘要

DFT-B3LYP calculations were carried out to study the enantioselectivity of the(S)-4-hydroxylproline-catalyzed direct aldol reaction between acetone and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde.Four transition structures associated with the stereo-controlling step of the reaction have been determined.They are corresponding to the anti and syn arrangements of the methylene moiety related to the carboxylic acid group in enamine intermediate and the si and re attacks to the aldehyde carbonyl carbon.The effect of DMSO solvent on the stereo-controlling step was investigated with polarized continuum model(PCM).The computed energies of the transition states reveal the moderate enantioselectivity of the reaction.