Tuning the organocatalyst: An unprecedented enantioselective intramolecular oxa‐Michael reaction of unactivated α,β‐unsaturated amides and esters catalyzed by a powerful hydrogen‐bond‐donating organocatalyst has been developed. Furthermore, the products obtained from this reaction have been used for the straightforward asymmetric synthesis of several natural products and biologically important compounds
Disclosed are 4-amino-2-butenamides of Formula (I) having pharmacological activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods for the treatment of diseases mediated by the cathepsin C enzyme such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.