Fig. 3: Control experiments and mechanistic insight.

a, Reaction with possible aldol intermediate 8. b, Reaction with possible benzoxaborol intermediate 10. c, Reaction in the absence of pyrrolidine. d, Reaction with acetone-D6. e–g, Experiments were conducted under standard conditions at 45 °C to identify the slowest steps. h, Molecular ion peaks identified (HRMS) correspond to possible intermediates 8 and 10.