Importance of Chiral Phase-Transfer Catalysts with Dual Functions in Obtaining High Enantioselectivity in the Michael Reaction of Malonates and Chalcone Derivatives

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[reaction: see text]. Highly enantioselective Michael addition of diethyl malonate to chalcone derivatives has been achieved under mild phase-transfer conditions by the successful utilization of N-spiro C(2)-symmetric chiral quaternary ammonium bromide 1 as a catalyst, which possesses diarylhydroxymethyl functionalities as a recognition site for the prochiral electrophile. This simple asymmetric Michael addition process was found to be quite effective for various chalcone derivatives, including those with heteroaromatic substituents.