Asymmetric conjugate addition to α-substituted enones/enolate trapping.

An NHC-Cu complex catalyzed the asymmetric conjugate addition (ACA) of various Grignard reagents to nonactivated α-substituted cyclic enones to give 2,3-dialkylated cyclopentanones and cyclohexanones. The Michael addition features the formation of a magnesium enolate intermediate. One-pot diastereoselective trapping of this enolate by alkyl, propargyl, allyl, and benzyl halides led to ketones with contiguous α-quaternary and β-tertiary centers.