In the presence of chiral amines, 2,4-dienones are activated toward the attack of a nucleophile at the δ?position, a mode of activation that is termed vinylogous iminium?ion catalysis. Specifically, the 1,6?addition of alkyl thiols to β-substituted cyclic dienones was catalyzed by a cinchona-based primary amine; the reaction was highly stereoselective and displayed high selectivity for reaction at the δ?position.
Aminocatalytic enantioselective 1,6 additions of alkyl thiols to cyclic dienones: Vinylogous iminium ion activation
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 6439-6442.
Highlighted in Synfact 2012, 905