Copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition to challenging michael acceptors and synthesis of relevant target molecules

Abstract

We report herein the enantioselective Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition of organometallic reagents to sensitive Michael acceptors and their application to the synthesis of relevant target molecules. This is one of the most important methodologies to form a C-C bond in an enantioselective manner. A wide range of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and β,γ-unsaturated-α- ketoesters has been successfully used. Reactivity, regioand enantioselectivities were strongly dependent on the reaction conditions, therefore moderate to very good results were obtained. Furthermore, γ-substituted-α-ketoesters were used as chiral building blocks for further derivatization with complete retention of the chiral information to obtain key compounds. © Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft.