Chiral phosphinothiourea organocatalyst in the enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions of aromatic aldehydes with methyl vinyl ketone

A new class of chiral phosphinothioureas has been developed as efficient organocatalyst for the enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of aromatic aldehydes with methyl vinyl ketone. The reaction proceeds under very mild conditions to afford the desired product in a short time period in good to excellent yields with up to 94% ee. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.