Asymmetric 1,4-addition of organosiloxanes to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds catalyzed by a chiral rhodium complex.

Highly enantioselective 1,4-addition of organosiloxanes to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was found to be catalyzed by a chiral rhodium complex generated from [Rh(cod)(MeCN)(2)]BF(4) and (S)-BINAP. Both (E)- and (Z)-1-alkenyl groups as well as aryl groups can be introduced enantioselectively into the beta-position of a variety of ketones, esters, and amides. [reaction--see text]