In asymmetric synthesis of organic compounds more effective solutions are being looked for which will result in higher yield(s) of product(s) and their high enantioselectivity [1]. One of such solutions is an use of a multilevel and cheap catalyst. Proline used as a catalyst is a substance of natural origin which was synthetically obtained by Willstätter who was carrying out research on hygric acid (Scheme 1) [10]. The cells of many organisms have a suitable enzymatic system essential for proline biosynthesis [15]. So far, three proline biosynthesis pathways have been described: from glutamate (Scheme 3 and 4), ornithine (Scheme 5 and 6), and arginine (Scheme 7) [16–28]. Proline which is obtained as a result of biosynthesis or supplementation is a substrate for many proteins. Characteristic and significant content (about 23%) of this amino acid was observed in collage. In cells proline can play an important role of osmoregulator [31–35] – a protective substance regulating the activity of such enzymes as catalase and peroxidase [36]. Proline as a secondary amine shows exceptional nucleophilicity facilitating imine and enamine formation. Used as a catalyst in aldol reaction makes with substrates like imine or enamine transition state imitating the activity of naturally occurring enzymes for this type of reaction, that is aldolases. In their research Hajos and Parrish, and Eder, Sauer and Wiechert used proline in intramolecular aldol reaction obtaining proper enones (Scheme 9) [60–62]. The process of intramolecular aldol reaction was used for a separation of racemic mixture of diketones (Scheme 10) [63, 64], cyclization of ortho-substituted aromatic aldehydes and ketones (Scheme 11) [65], synthesis of cyclic diketones (Scheme 13) [68] and domino reaction to obtain substituted cyclohexanones from beta-diketones and unsaturated ketones (Scheme 14) [69].
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