New bidentate alkoxy-NHC ligands for enantioselective copper-catalysed conjugate addition

Chiral alkoxy-imidazolinium salts are easily available via a five-step procedure starting from beta-aminoalcohols. This new family of alkoxy-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors is shown to be highly active in the enantioselective copper-catalysed conjugate addition to cyclic enones. Complete conversion with low catalyst loading and good enantiomeric excesses up to 93% were obtained at room temperature. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.