ChemInform Abstract: Trimerization of Aliphatic Aldehydes to 1,3-Diol Monoesters Catalyzed by Cp*2Sm(thf)2

Aliphatic aldehydes underwent trimerization in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cp ∗ 2 Sm(thf) 2 under ambient conditions to form 1,3-diol monoesters in good yields. For example, the reaction of acetoaldehyde catalyzed by Cp ∗ 2 Sm(thf) 2 gave 4-acetoxy-2-butanol ( 2a ) and 3-acetoxy-1-butanol ( 3a ) in 86% yield.