Asymmetric Morita−Baylis−Hillman Reaction Catalyzed by Isophoronediamine-Derived Bis(thio)urea Organocatalysts

Abstract

New and improved bis(thio)urea catalysts were synthesized from isophoronediamine (IPDA) and tested in the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. The best results were achieved in the reaction of 2-cyclohexen-1-one with cyclohexanecarbaldehyde, using the catalyst depicted above, in combination with a novel base (N,N,N',N'-tetramethylisophoronediamine, TMIPDA) in toluene. The desired Morita-Baylis-Hillman product was obtained in 75% yield and 96% ee.