was suitable for bulkier substrates (sterictuning of the catalyst). Using the La-NMe-linked-BINOL complex, the Michaelreaction of methyl acetoacetate (8a) to 2-cyclohexen-1-one (7b) gave the corresponding Michael adduct 9ba in 82% yield and 92% ee. The linker heteroatom in linked-BINOL is crucial for achieving high reactivity and selectivity in the Michaelreaction of beta-keto esters. The amine moiety