Asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation by addition of an organometallic reagent is a powerful strategy in chemistry. The use of Grignard and organozinc reagents as nucleophiles can now give high levels of asymmetric induction, but these methods have a number of disadvantages. We have developed a catalytic asymmetric 1,4-conjugate addition of alkylzirconium compounds, which overcomes a number of these limitations. The system uses mild conditions to achieve high levels of enantioselectivity. The reaction shows broad substrate scope and a high tolerance to different reaction conditions while still maintaining good selectivity.

Copper-catalysed asymmetric 1,4-conjugate addition of alkylzirconium compounds

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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