PPL, lipase from porcine pancreas, is first reported to catalyze direct asymmetric aldol reactions between aromatic aldehydes and cyclic ketones. More importantly, the catalytic activity of PPL was greatly promoted by a small quantity of water at 37 °C. A wide range of aromatic aldehydes reacted with cyclic ketones to provide the corresponding aldol products with high yields (up to 99 %) and moderate to good stereoselectivity (up to 90 % ee and 99:1 dr).

A novel, green and efficient visible-light-promoted decarboxylative aminoalkylation reaction of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with N-aryl glycines has been described.

No abstract