Catalytic generation of activated carboxylates: direct, stereoselective synthesis of beta-hydroxyesters from epoxyaldehydes.

The catalytic generation of activated carboxylates from epoxyaldehydes enables the direct, stereoselective synthesis of beta-hydroxyesters under mild, convenient reaction conditions. In addition to providing a new method for the synthesis of anti-aldol adducts, this chemistry unveils a mechanistically viable solution to the catalytic, waste-free synthesis of esters.