[?synthetic?]

Please can someone offer some advice as I am attempting to write my PhD thesis up and no longer have my supervisor to *delete me* Some of my synthesis involves the use of two vinylogous mukaiyama aldol reactions. My first questions is should I give a brief overview of VMARs in my introduction? Second, I am finding the it difficult to understand/pinpoint the exact mechanism of the titanium/binol VMAR reaction, in particular that used by Scettri et al. They use an enantiomerically enriched catalyst and argue that their procedure is better when using aliphatic aldehydes. However, in Denmark's review (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 4682 – 4698), he argues that Carreira's schiff base is better for aliphatic aldehydes, is there a definitive yes or no answer? Thanks in advance!




Edit: Please do no write in all caps. Dan

[AWK]

1. Definitely - yes
2. Check detailed mechanism on www.organic-chemistry.org