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Updated: May 9, 2026

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
The Mukaiyama aldol reaction: 40 years of continuous development
Jun-ichi Matsuo1, Masahiro Murakami
1Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan. jimatsuo@p.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
A directed cross-aldol reaction of silyl enol ethers with carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes and ketones, promoted by a Lewis acid, a reaction which is now widely known as the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. It was first reported in 1973, and this year marks the 40th anniversary. The directed cross-aldol reactions mediated by boron enolates and tin(II) enolates also emerged from the Mukaiyama laboratory. These directed cross-aldol reactions have become invaluable tools for the construction of stereochemically complex molecules from two carbonyl compounds. This Minireview provides a succinct historical overview of their discoveries and the early stages of their development.
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