Highly Enantioselective Conjugate Additions to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by a (Salen)Al Complex

Chiral (salen)Al complex 1a catalyzes the highly enantioselective conjugate addition of carbon-
and nitrogen-based nucleophiles to acyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones. This methodology is tolerant of
substantial variation of the ketone structure, providing access to a wide range of useful chiral building
blocks in high yield and enantiomeric excess. Synthetic manipulations of the conjugate addition products
are demonstrated, including the straightforward preparation of β-amino ketones and highly enantioenriched
carbo- and heterocyclic compounds.