Highly enantioselective conjugate addition of diethylzinc to substituted chalcones catalyzed by Cu(II) complexes of a tridentate P,N,O ligand

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetasy.2008.02.027

A new series of tridentate P,N,O ligands having hard and soft donor atoms derived from chiral amino alcohols were developed and employed in the Cu(II)-catalyzed conjugate addition of diethylzinc to substituted chalcones. The asymmetric additions to a variety of substituted chalcones afforded products in excellent yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities up to 97% ee.