A new organocatalytic concept for asymmetric α-alkylation of aldehydes

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Nov 12;136(45):15929-32. doi: 10.1021/ja510475n. Epub 2014 Nov 4.

Abstract

The organocatalytic asymmetric α-alkylation of aldehydes by 1,6-conjugated addition of enamines to p-quinone methides is described. Employing a newly developed class of chiral secondary amine catalysts, α-diarylmethine-substituted aldehydes with two contiguous stereocenters have been synthesized in a simple manner with good diastereocontrol and excellent enantioselectivity.