A Combined DFT Study and NMR Investigations of the Zinc Organometallic Intermediate Proposed in the Syn-Selective Tandem Chain Extension-Aldol Reaction of β-Keto Esters

The tandem chain extension-aldol (TCA) reaction of β-keto esters provides a α-substituted γ-keto ester with an average syn:anti selectivity of 10:1. It is proposed that the reaction proceeds via a carbon-zinc bound organometallic intermediate potentially bearing mechanistic similarity to the Reformatsky reaction. Evidence, derived from control Reformatsky reactions and a study of the structure of the TCA intermediate utilizing DFT methods and NMR-spectroscopy, suggests the γ-keto group of the TCA intermediate plays a significant role in diastereoselectivity observed in this reaction. Such coordination effects have design implications for future zinc mediated reactions.