Chiral phosphine-squaramides as enantioselective catalysts for the intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

Chem Commun (Camb). 2011 Jan 21;47(3):1012-4. doi: 10.1039/c0cc03187a. Epub 2010 Nov 9.

Abstract

Novel squaramides containing tertiary phosphine were developed as chiral bifunctional organic catalysts to promote the asymmetric intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of ω-formyl-enones. The adducts were obtained in high yields with good-to-excellent enantioselectivity (up to 93% ee).