Helical Poly(phenyl isocyanide)-Supported (R,R)-(–)-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane Catalyst for Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

Abstract

A novel helical poly(phenyl isocyanide) bearing an (R,R)-(‒)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane pendant (poly-2₂₀₀) was designed and synthesized. Helical poly-2₂₀₀ showed an excellent catalytic performance in the asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and 2-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde in ethanol: the reaction product had an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 87.8%.