Organocatalytic asymmetric deconjugative Michael additions.

The organocatalytic allylic C-C bond-forming addition of activated alkylidenes to acrolein has been achieved with good yield and regio- and enantioselectivity. Chiral tertiary amines in the form of cinchona alkaloid catalysts are used to give allyl intermediates that exhibit unusual alpha-selectivity in the C-C bond-forming step. The products are transformed into a large range of intermediates that are difficult to access via alternative methods, using different oxidative and reductive protocols.