1. Betti added methylmagnesium iodide to benzaldehyde in the presence of N,N-dimethylbornylamine, recording a small optical activity. (a) Betti, M.; Lucchi, E. Boll. Sci. Fac. Chim. Ind., Bologna, 1940, 1–2, 2–5. (Chem. Abstr. 1940, 34, 2354). (b) Noyori, R. Asymmetric Catalysis in Organic Synthesis; Wiley: New York, 1994. (c) Noyori, R.; Kitamura, M. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1991, 30, 49–69. Although the result was questioned (Tarbell, D. S.; Paulson, M. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1942, 64, 2842–2844), it is worth emphasizing the seminal character of the original idea. Betti also performed some reactions in the presence of d- or l-polarized light. (d) Betti, M.; Lucchi, E. Atti X Congr. Intern. Chim. 2 1938, 112–116. (Chem. Abstr. 1939, 33, 7273) and an asymmetric decomposition of a cyanohydrin with a chiral base. (e) Betti, M.; Van Giffen, J. Gazz. Chim. Ital. 1912, 42 I, 316–320.
2. Betti, M. Gazz. Chim. Ital. 1900, 30 II, 310–316.
3. Betti, M. Gazz. Chim. Ital. 1901, 31 I, 377–393.
4. Betti, M. Gazz. Chim. Ital. 1901, 31 II, 170–184.
5. Betti, M. Gazz. Chim. Ital. 1901, 31 II, 191–200.