Organocatalytic asymmetric oxy-Michael addition to a γ-hydroxy- α,β-unsaturated thioester via hemiacetal intermediates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/c2cc31602a

We report an asymmetric oxy-Michael addition to a γ-hydroxy-α, β-unsaturated thioester via hemiacetal intermediates in the presence of Cinchona-alkaloid-thiourea-based bifunctional organocatalysts. This method provides a novel enantioselective route to β-hydroxy carboxyl compounds, which in turn can be used to synthesize valuable chiral building blocks.