Anti-selective aldol reactions with titanium enolates of N-glycolyloxazolidinethiones.

[reaction: see text] A highly diastereoselective anti aldol addition utilizing a variety of N-glycolyloxazolidinethiones has been developed. Enolization of an N-glycolyloxazolidinethione with titanium (IV) chloride and (-)-sparteine followed by addition of an aldehyde activated with additional TiCl(4) resulted in highly anti-selective aldol additions, typically with no observable syn isomers. Allyl-protected glycolates demonstrated the highest levels of selection and yields, although O-benzyl and O-methyl glycolyloxazolidinethiones also performed well.