Organocatalytic Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Vinyl Sulfones: Enantioselective α-Alkylations of Aldehydes and Their Derivatives

Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of unmodified aldehydes to vinyl sulfones catalyzed by silylated biarylprolinol afforded the desired Michael products with exceptional enantioselectivity. The described enantioselective addition to vinyl sulfones, in combination with desulfonation, offers a unique, asymmetric entry to alpha-alkylated aldehydes and their derivatives.