Asymmetric Catalytic Friedel−Crafts Reaction of Silyl Enol Ethers with Fluoral:  A Possible Mechanism of the Mukaiyama-Aldol Reactions

The catalytic asymmetric Friedel−Crafts reaction of silyl enol ethers with fluoral proceeds under Mukaiyama-aldol conditions to give silyl enol ether products. The sequential diastereoselective reactions of the resultant silyl enol ethers with electrophiles provide highly enantiopure functionalized organofluorine compounds of material and pharmaceutical interest.