Phosphine-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective Michael Addition of β-Carbonyl Esters to b-Trifluoromethyl and β-Ester Enones: Enhanced Reactivity by Inorganic Base

A novel chiral biamide-phosphine multifunctional catalyst has been developed that mediates the asymmetric intermolecular Michael addition of beta-carbonyl esters to beta-trifluoromethyl enones and 3-aroyl acrylates in the presence of competing methyl acrylate and the inorganic base. This method provides a facile access to structurally diverse trifluoromethyl and quaternary stereogenic centers with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) and good diastereoselectivity (up to 13:1 dr). The (K3PO4) does not cause the background racemic reaction and enhances the reactivity by serving as addition of the inorganic base a co-catalyst.