Chiral Primary Amine Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Addition of Malononitrile to α‑Substituted Vinyl Ketone

The first efficient and highly enantioselective Michael addition–protonation reaction of malononitriles to α-substituted vinyl ketones has been developed by using a chiral primary amine as the organocatalyst. With a Hantzsch ester as the hydride source, an enantioselective tandem reduction, Michael addition–protonation reaction of benzylidene­malono­nitrile has also been achieved with good yields and high enantioselectivities.