S. Kusumoto, S. Ito, K. Nozaki*
Asian J. Org. Chem. 2013, 2, 977–982. DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.201300134 This paper is listed in a special issue on the Mukaiyama aldol reaction.
Abstract: The direct aldol polymerization of acetaldehyde, a new approach for the synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol)- and poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene)-type oligomers, cooperatively catalyzed by organocatalysts and Brønsted acids was investigated. Thus, we successfully obtained oligomers that contain a substantial amount of 1,3-hydroxy groups in the main chain. This conceptually new approach is an important step towards realizing the one-step synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol)s from acetaldehyde with perfect atom economy.