Synthesis of novel chiral heterometallic terpene oximates: unusual generation of an aluminium enolate by a cooperative effect.

Al-K heterometallic terpene oximate derivatives with uncommon structural features are reported. These species react with an aryl ketone leading to heterometallic enolates via an unusual route. Isolation of a remarkable heterometallic Al-K enolate confirms the cooperative mechanism proposed by DFT calculations, where the oximate ligand has a prominent role. From these enolates the formation of new C-C bonds is straightforward.