Enantioselective conjugate addition of thiols to enones and enals catalyzed by chiral N-oxide-cadmium complex

A novel method of enantioselective conjugate addition of thiols to enones and enals produces sulfides with enantioselectivities up to 78% ee, employing a cadmium complex of (S)-3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-biquinoline N,N'-dioxide 1 as a catalyst.