The catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of pyruvic aldehyde
dimethyl acetal and 2-acetylthiazole with sugar aldehydes is
demonstrated to be the key step in the synthesis of 3-deoxy-
2-ulosonic acids. Efficient and stereoselective pyruvate aldol
reactions are catalyzed by metal-based chiral Trost and Shibasaki catalysts. The presented synthetic methodology
mimics aldolase-catalyzed reactions by direct activation of C
3
pyruvate equivalents with the use of metal-based chiral cata-
lysts en route to the synthesis of 2-keto-3-deoxy-
D
-glucosonic
acid and 3-deoxy-
D
-manno-2-octulosonic acid derivatives.