All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereogenic Centers by Enantioselective Cu‐Catalyzed Conjugate Additions Promoted by a Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene

Abstract

Necessity is the mother of invention: When the available catalysts do not cut it, a new one has to be developed. A chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) is used in the first catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of alkyl- and arylzinc reagents to γ-keto esters (see scheme). Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2007/z604511_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.