Synthesis of (S)-2-{(R)-Hydroxy[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]­methyl}cyclohexan-1-one Using (1R,2R)-2-(Piperidin-1-yl)­cyclohexan-1-amine as a Catalyst

Chiral monosubstituted cyclohexanediamine catalyst, namely (1R,2R)-2-(piperidin-1-yl)cyclo­hexan-1-amine (Cat1) has been efficiently synthesized and used to catalyze the aldol reaction of cyclohexanone and 2-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde to obtain (R)-2-{(S)-hydroxy[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}cyclo­hexan-1-one. The catalyst (20 mol %) provided high yield (up to 85%) and excellent enantioselectivity (95.6% ee) in water solution in three parallel tests.