Enantioselective Michael Addition of Malonates to 2-Enoylpyridine <i>N</i>-Oxides Catalyzed by Chiral Bisoxazoline–Zn(II) Complex

Abstract

An enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to 2-enoylpyridine N-oxides catalyzed by a chiral bisoxazoline-Zn(II) complex has been developed. The corresponding Michael adducts have been obtained in high yields with up to 96% ee. A plausible transition-state model has been proposed to explain the stereochemical outcome of the reaction.