Spectroscopic studies (1H and13Cnmr, fluorescence anduv) of 2-[3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3-ketopropyl]-2-methyl-cyclopentane-1, 3-dione in the presence ofl-amino acids andl-N-acetylphenylalanine ethyl ester indicated the possible involvement of a molecular association complex in the transition state of the amino acid catalyzed chiral aldolization of prochiral triketones to yield useful steroidal intermediates.
