SCANDIUM TRIFLUOROMETHANESULFONATE (SC(OTF)3) AS A NOVEL REUSABLE LEWIS-ACID CATALYST IN ALDOL AND MICHAEL REACTIONS

In the presence of a catalytic amount of scandium trifluoromethanesulf onate (Sc(OTf)3), aldol and Michael reactions of silyl enolates with a ldehydes, acetals, and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones proceed smoothly to give the corresponding adducts in high yields. The catalyst can be recovered and reused, and is available in both organic and aqueous so lvents. Aqueous formaldehyde and chloroacetaldehyde solution react dir ectly with a silyl enolate to afford the corresponding aldol adducts i n good yields, respectively.