Enantioselective Michael addition of β-keto esters to methyl vinyl ketone employing a chiral N,N′-dioxide-scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate complex as a catalyst

An enantioselective Michael addition of beta -keto esters to methyl vinyl ketone exploiting a chiral N,N ' -dioxide-scandium. trifluoromethanesulfonate complex as a catalyst affords the corresponding Michael adducts in high yields and with enantioselectivities of up to 80% ee.