SN1-Type Reactions in the Presence of Water: Indium(III)-Promoted Highly Enantioselective Organocatalytic Propargylation of Aldehydes

We have described the first catalytic stereoselective addition of aldehydes to internal functionalized propargylic alcohols, promoted by a combination of an organocatalyst and indium triflate. The reaction is tolerant of a range of functional groups and was performed in the presence of water.