Kinetic Resolution of ß-Branched Aldehydes through Peptide-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition Reactions.

The catalytic kinetic resolution of racemic ß-branched aldehydes offers a straightforward stereoselective entry to aldehydes and addition products. Yet, control over stereoselectivity is difficult due to the conformational flexibility of ß-branched aldehydes. Here, we show that the peptide catalyst H-dPro-αMePro-Glu-NH2 resolves ß-branched aldehydes through reaction with nitroolefins and provides γ-nitroaldehydes with three consecutive stereogenic centers in high yields and stereoselectivities. Kinetic, NMR spectroscopic, and computational studies provided insights into the selectivity-determining step and origins of the kinetic resolution.