Rationalization of an unusual solvent-induced inversion of enantiomeric excess in organocatalytic selenylation of aldehydes

An unusual solvent-induced inversion of the sense of enantioselectivity observed in the α-selenylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a diphenylprolinol silyl ether catalyst is correlated to the presence of intermediates formed subsequent to the highly selective C-Se bond-forming step in the catalytic cycle. This work provides support for a mechanistic concept for enamine catalysis and includes a general role for "downstream intermediates" in selectivity outcomes in organocatalysis.