A heterogenized (
S)-proline on mesoporous support MCM-41 catalyzes the asymmetric aldol reaction in a wide rangeof solvents. The progress of the reaction is dependent onthe nature of the solvent. Reactions proceed more efficientlyin hydrophilic polar solvents; however, the addition of a smallamount of water has a positive effect on the rate and thestereoselectivity of the reaction performed in hydrophobictoluene. The reaction under heterogeneous conditions hasalso been performed on chiral aldehydes, furnishing usefulintermediates for the synthesis of azasugars.