Asymmetric Michael Reaction of α-CF3 Thioester and α,β-Unsaturated Aldehyde Catalyzed by Diphenylprolinol Silyl Ether.

Asymmetric Michael reaction of α-CF3 thioester and α,β-unsaturated aldehyde is catalyzed by diphenylprolinol silyl ether to afford the trifluoromethyl substituted Michael product with excellent enantioselectivity. Although the Michael products were generated as a mixture of syn- and anti-isomers, they can be transformed to single isomers of other useful compounds, such as lactone, lactam, piperidine, dihydropyran containing trifluoromethyl groups, or fluoro substituents.