Rhodium(III)/Amine Synergistically Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkylation of Aldehydes withα,β-Unsaturated 2-Acyl Imidazoles

A synergistic catalysis combination of chiral-at-metal rhodium complex and amine catalyst was developed for enantioselective alkylation of aldehydes with α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles. The corresponding adducts were obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).