Catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to Ni(ii) complexes of the Schiff base of glycine

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/c0ob00221f

The conjugate addition of Ni(ii) complexes of glycine Schiff base to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by (S)-2- (diphenyl(trimethylsilyloxy)methyl)pyrrolidine afforded adducts in excellent yields with up to 49:1 dr and 95% ee. This method enables the construction of two adjacent chiral centers in one step, and offers an alternative route to chiral α-amino acid derivatives.