such bifunctional chiral molecules, either neutral or protonated species, was investigated in the addition of acetylacetone to β-nitrostyrene as a model reaction. Using the best conditions, high yields and enantioselectivities of up to 85% were obtained. The same metalfreecatalysts were then employed in the addition of activated nucleophiles to imines: in the reaction of 1,3-diketones with N-CBz imines