A stereoselective hydride transfer reaction with contributions from attractive dispersion force control.

The experimentally determined stereochemical outcome of an unprecedented hydride transfer from a lithium alkoxide to an aldehyde is reported, as deconvoluted by the combined use of a single enantiomer alkoxide in conjunction with a deuterium label. The stereoselective outcome is consistent with a computationally predicted transition state model stabilised by contributions from attractive dispersion forces.