Asymmetric induction in the Darzens reaction by using an h6-chromium tricarbonyl complexed arene as chiral auxiliary By Baldoli

Enantioselective Darzens condensation of the title complexed benzaldehyde I with ClCH2R (R = CN, CO2CMe3, COPh) gave epoxide II (same R) diastereoselectively after decomplexation; enantiomeric excesses are in the 40-88% range.