A simple and efficient one-pot procedure for the synthesis of α-diketones from aldehydes via benzoin condensation under the influence of a catalytic amount of azolium salt combined with DBU has been developed. Thus, aldehyde was allowed to react with the azolium salt/DBU catalytic system at room temperature, and then the reaction mixture was heated to 70 °C under air atmosphere to afford the corresponding 1,2-diketone in good yield. This would be an efficient alternative method of synthesizing α-diketones from aldehydes under metal-free conditions.A simple and efficient one-pot procedure for the synthesis of α-diketones from aldehydes via benzoin condensation under the influence of a catalytic amount of azolium salt combined with DBU has been developed.

Conjugate addition of Et2Zn to 2-cyclohexen-1-one catalyzed by Cu(OTf)2 combined with an azolium salt derived from (S)-leucinol produced the corresponding (S)-adduct, while the use of Cu(acac)2 in combination with the same ligand afforded the (R)-adduct as a major product.

Conjugate addition of Et2Zn to 2-cyclohexen-1-one catalyzed by Cu(OTf)2 combined with an azolium salt derived from (S)-leucinol produced the corresponding (S)-adduct, while the use of Cu(acac)2 in combination with the same ligand afforded the (R)-adduct as a major product.