Enantioselective organocatalytic phospha-Michael reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Abstract

The enantioselective organocatalytic phospha-Michael reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with diaryl phosphine oxides is explored for the first time using (S)-2-(diphenyl(trimethylsilyloxy)methyl)pyrrolidine as a catalyst. It afforded 1,4-addition adducts in good to excellent yields with up to 99% ee.