Direct catalytic asymmetric addition of allyl cyanide to ketones.

A direct catalytic asymmetric addition of allyl cyanide to ketones with a bimetallic catalytic system comprising (R,R)-Ph-BPE/[Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)]ClO(4)/LiOAr is described. Exclusive gamma-addition of allyl cyanide was observed, affording optically enriched tertiary alcohols bearing Z-configured alpha,beta-unsaturated nitriles. The reaction proceeded under proton-transfer conditions, utilizing soft Lewis acid/hard Brønsted base bifunctional catalysis. The applicability of the reaction to aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic ketones demonstrates its wide substrate generality.