Chiral primary amine thiourea promoted highly enantioselective Michael reactions of isobutylaldehyde with maleimides

Abstract

Chiral primary amine thiourea catalysts were first successfully applied to promote Michael addition of isobutyraldehyde to maleimides. A variety of N-aryl and N-aliphatic maleimides provided Michael adducts in excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) with 5 mol % catalyst.