Helical Poly(phenyl isocyanide)-Supported (R,R)-(–)-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane Catalyst for Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

A novel helical poly(phenyl isocyanide) bearing an ( R,R )-(‒)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane pendant (poly- 2 200 ) was designed and synthesized. Helical poly- 2 200 showed an excellent catalytic performance in the asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and 2-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde in ethanol: the reaction product had an enantiomeric excess ( ee ) of 87.8%.