Asymmetric Direct Vinylogous Conjugate Addition of Substituted Furanone Derivatives to (<i>E</i>)‐ and (<i>Z)</i>‐Benzoyl Acrylonitriles Using Organocatalysts

Abstract

Abstract Diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalysts efficiently promoted the asymmetric direct vinylogous conjugate addition of α‐angelica lactone to ( E )‐ and ( Z )‐benzoyl acrylonitrile derivatives. The synthesized products bear vicinal tertiary and quaternary stereogenic centers with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). This report is the first successful example of the stereoselective conjugate addition using ( Z )‐benzoyl acrylonitriles as Michael acceptor.