Enantioselective conjugate addition of diethylzinc to cyclic enones with chiral aryl diphosphite-copper catalysts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)01272-1

A series of C₂-symmetric aryl diphosphites based on chiral binaphthol were prepared and their copper complexes were found to be efficient catalysts for the conjugate addition of diethylzinc to cyclic enones. Good enantioselectivities (up to 89.8 and 88.7% ee, respectively) were obtained in the conjugate addition of diethylzinc to 2-cyclohexenone and 2- cyclopentenone.