Organocatalyzed Conjugate Addition Reaction for the Construction of Asymmetric Quaternary Carbon Center

Abstract

Asymmetric conjugate addition reaction to β,β-disubstituted enones is one of reliable and straightforward approaches to afford ketones carrying all-carbon substituted quaternary carbon center at the β-position. Although metal-catalyzed conjugate addition reaction of organometallic nucleophiles has been developed, less is known about organocatalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition reaction to β,β-disubstituted enones. This review focuses on recent reports about organocatalyzed nitro-Michael addition and alkyl radical addition reaction to β-substituted cyclic enones.