Ni(II) Tol-BINAP-catalyzed enantioselective Michael reactions of beta-ketoesters and unsaturated N-acylthiazolidinethiones.

The enantioselective addition of beta-ketoesters to unsaturated N-acylthiazolidinethiones catalyzed by Ni(II) Tol-BINAP Lewis acid complexes is reported. Notable features of this reaction are its operation simplicity, the obviated need for the addition of an external base, and the ease with which the adducts are converted into a range of potentially useful derivatives. In particular, the dihydropyrone adducts are versatile scaffolds for further stereoselective elaboration.