Organocatalytic Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl sulfones: enantioselective alpha-alkylations of aldehydes and their derivatives.

Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of unmodified aldehydes to vinyl sulfones catalyzed by silylated biarylprolinol afforded the desired Michael products with exceptional enantioselectivity. The described enantioselective addition to vinyl sulfones, in combination with desulfonation, offers a unique, asymmetric entry to alpha-alkylated aldehydes and their derivatives.