Enantioselective direct aldol reaction of α-keto esters catalyzed by (S(a))-binam-D-prolinamide under quasi solvent-free conditions.

(S(a))-Binam-D-prolinamide (20 mol%), instead of (S(a))-binam-L-prolinamide, in combination with chloroacetic acid (100 mol%) is an efficient organocatalyst for the direct aldol reaction between α-keto esters as electrophiles and alkyl and α-functionalised ketones, under quasi solvent-free conditions, providing access to highly functionalised chiral quaternary γ-keto α-hydroxyesters with up to 92% ee.