Chemoselective conjugate addition of dimethylzinc-mediated ether and acetal radicals to alkylidenemalonates and asymmetric reactions

The chemoselective reaction of dimethylzinc-air with Michael acceptors, mainly without addition to aldehyde and imine moieties is used to generate [alpha]-alkoxyalkyl radicals from ethers and acetals. The results provide pathway for an efficient asymmetric radical addition via use of bis(8-phenylmenthyl) benzylidenemalonate as a chiral Michael acceptor.