R)-Hydroxy-(S)-proline was N-protected by reaction with di-tert-butyl pyrocarbonate to give N-Boc-(4R)-hydroxy-(S)-proline, which was treated with NaH in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran and followed by etherification with PhCH 2Br to form the N-Boc-(4R)-benzyloxy-(S)-proline, which, after removal of the protecting group with CF 3COOH gave the title compound. As an efficient catalyst for the direct asymmetryic aldol reaction the compound gave products in yield ranged from 58% to 77% with enantiomeric excess up to 88%.
