Catalytic, asymmetric aza-Baylis–Hillman reaction of N-sulfonated imines with 2-cyclohexen-1-one and 2-cyclopenten-1-one in the presence of a chiral phosphine Lewis base

Abstract: In the aza-Baylis–Hillman reaction of N-sulfonated imines with 2-cyclohexen-1-one or 2-cyclopenten-1-one, we found that by using (R)-2′-dimethylphosphanyl-[1,1′]binaphthalenyl-2-ol LB1 as a chiral phosphine Lewis base, the corresponding Baylis–Hillman adducts 2 or 3 can be obtained in good yields and moderate enantiomeric excess. The structure of this chiral phosphine Lewis base on chiral induction in this reaction has also been discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]