Sequential hydroformylation/aldol reactions: versatile and controllable access to functionalised carbocycles from unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

Three different modes of hydroformylation/aldol reaction sequences involving either acid-catalysed aldol reactions, Mukaiyama aldol addition of pre-formed enolsilanes or aldol addition of in situ generated boron enolates can be applied to unsaturated ketones and ketoesters to afford the corresponding carbocyclic aldol adducts in good yields proceeding through the intermediate activated ketoaldehydes. In selected cases, complimentary, synthetically useful diastereoselectivities were observed in the products.