An efficient catalytic system for the three-component coupling of electrophilic alkenes, aldehydes, and silane was optimized with a new family of copper N-heterocyclic carbene complexes. These catalysts do not require activation and show high activity (TOF > 15 000 h-1) as well as some anti diastereoselectivity.
A Three-Component Tandem Reductive Aldol Reaction Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Copper Complexes
Org. Lett. 2006, 8, 6059-6062.