Asymmetric addition of α-branched cyclic ketones to allenamides catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid

Chem Sci. 2016;7(4):2653-2656. doi: 10.1039/C5SC04202J. Epub 2016 Jan 19.

Abstract

We describe the asymmetric addition of unactivated α-branched cyclic ketones to allenamides catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid, generating an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter with broad substrate scope and high enantioselectivity. The products are easily transformed into their corresponding 1,5- and 1,4-ketoaldehyde derivatives, which are both important building blocks in organic synthesis.