Enantioselective transformation of α,β-unsaturated ketones using chiral organic catalysts

摘要

Nonmetallic organic catalysts are provided that facilitate the enantioselective reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketones. The catalysts are chiral imidazolidinone compounds having the structure of formula (IIA) or (IIB); or are acid addition salts thereof, wherein, in one preferred embodiment, R¹ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, R² is phenyl or 2-methylfuryl, R³ and R⁴ are hydrogen, and R⁵ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents selected from the group consisting of halo, hydroxyl, and C₁-C₆ alkyl. The chiral imidazolidinones are useful in catalyzing a wide variety of reactions, including cycloaddition reactions, Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions, and Michael additions.