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A catalytic method for enantioselective conjugate addition (ECA) of Si-containing vinylaluminum reagents to β-substituted cyclopentenones and cyclohexenones is described. Reactions are promoted by 1.0-5.0 mol % of a bidentate NHC-Cu complex, which is prepared from air-stable CuCl(2)•2H(2)O and used in situ, and typically proceed to completion within 15-20 min. The requisite vinylmetals are generated efficiently by a site-selective hydroalumination of an alkyne with dibal-H. The desired products, containing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center, are obtained in 48-95% yield after purification and in 89:11 to >98:2 enantiomer ratio (er). The vinylsilane moiety within the products can be functionalized to afford acyl, vinyliodide, or desilylated alkenes in 67% to >98% yield and with >90% retention of the alkene's stereochemical identity. The utility of the catalytic process is illustrated in the context of a concise enantioselective synthesis of riccardiphenol B.

A readily available and simple (MW = 444.5 g/mol) valine-based chiral phosphine is used to promote highly efficient catalytic asymmetric conjugate additions of dialkyl- and diarylzinc reagents to acyclic beta-silyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. The catalytic asymmetric protocol allows access to versatile allylsilanes that bear a trisubstituted olefin in high diastereo- and enantiomeric purity.