Asymmetric Robinson-Type Annulation Reaction between β-Ketoamides and α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

Enantioselective Robinson-type annulation reaction between beta-ketoamide and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone was developed by utilizing the amino acid derived primary secondary diamine catalysts. The less reactive acyclic beta-ketoamides employed as both electrophile and nucleophile are reported in this asymmetric tandem reaction. A number of chiral cyclohexenone derivatives containing an amide group were obtained in high yields and good selectivities.