• Superior catalyst for the Baylis-Hillman reaction: the addition of acrylic esters to aldehydes, often very slow (4-7 days) with the usual catalyst 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, A14003, is much faster (<1 day) in the presence of quinuclidinol: Synth. Commun., 18, 495 (1988); Tetrahedron Lett., 32, 5611 (1991). For more recent discussion and methodology, see: J. Org. Chem., 67, 510 (2002); 68, 692 (2003). For reviews of the Baylis-Hillman reaction, see: Tetrahedron, 44, 4653 (1988); 52, 8001 (1996). The rate of addition of enones to aldehydes is similarly enhanced: Synth. Commun., 18, 495 (1988); 19, 959 (1989).
• Reagent for selective cleavage of ?-keto esters to ketones in high yield: Synth. Commun., 5, 341 (1975). Geminal diesters are converted to monoesters in high yield under similar conditions: J. Org. Chem., 41, 208 (1976).