A novel diaminomethyleneindenedione (DMI) organocatalyst efficiently promotes the asymmetric conjugate addition of a ketone to a maleimide to afford the corresponding addition product in a high yield with up to 99% enantiomeric excess.
Stereoselective conjugate addition of carbonyl compounds to maleimides using a diaminomethyleneindenedione organocatalyst
A diaminomethyleneindenedione motif can serve as an excellent double hydrogen bonding donor. Bifunctional chiral primary amine 3 bearing a diaminomethyleneindenedione motif is an excellent organocatalyst to promote the asymmetric conjugate additions of various carbonyl compounds to maleimides in high yields with up to 99% ee. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.