Ionic liquid supported 4-HO-Pro-Val derived organocatalysts for asymmetric aldol reactions in the presence of water

Novel $(\mathrm{4}{R})\text{-}\mathrm{HO}\text{-}(\mathrm{2}S)\text{-}\mathrm{Pro}\text{-}(S)\text{-}\mathrm{Val}$ derivative tagged to 1-methylimidazolium cation and $\mathrm{PF_6^-}$ anion efficiently catalyzes asymmetric aldol reactions of cyclic ketones with aromatic aldehydes in aqueous environment to afford the corresponding aldols in high yield with moderate to high anti-diastereo- (dr up to 99:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee). The catalyst was recycled 9 times in the same reaction without any decrease in selectivity values.