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An enantioselective copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of Me2Zn to (Z)-nitroalkenes led to the formation of all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers with high stereoselectivity. The key features of the new method are the unprecedented use of [(MeCN)4Cu]PF6 in conjunction with the Hoveyda ligand L1 and the use of (Z)-nitroalkene substrates so that undesired nitroalkene isomerization is minimized and enantioselectivity is enhanced dramatically. We also describe a novel, practical, and highly (Z)-selective nitroalkene synthesis.

A series of efficient ruthenium catalysts has been developed for the asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of ketones with high reactivities and selectivities. The new chiral bisdihydrobenzooxaphosphole (BIBOP)/diamine-ruthenium complexes catalyzed the enantioselective hydrogenation of substrates such as aryl and heteroaryl cyclic and alkyl ketones with substrate/catalyst (S/C) ratios of up to 100,000. The opposite sense of enantioselectivity can be obtained by proper selection of a diamine with a given chirality of the phosphine. The usefulness of the new system has been demonstrated in the asymmetric hydrogenation of a complex synthetic intermediate towards cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors at S/C 20,000 on large-scale operation.

In reactions of electron-rich imines LGA proved to be very efficient whereas LGB gives better results with electron-deficient imines.

Among 6 derivatives, which incorporate an N-sulfinyl prolinamide moiety to serve as a hydrogen bond donor, chiral directing group, and solubilizing element, SPA efficiently catalyzes the title reaction.