Preparation of β-Hydroxyketones (Aldols) from the Alkylation of O -Silyl Aryl Cyanohydrins with Epoxides.

β-Hydroxyketones (aldols) are prepared from the alkylation-deprotection of O -silylated aryl cyanohydrins with epoxides. Key to the success of the method was the suppression of an in situ cyclic imidate formation that occurs upon initial opening of the epoxide ring.