Enantioselective Michael Addition to α,β‐Unsaturated Imides Catalyzed by a Bifunctional Organocatalyst

High enantioselectivities (up to 94 % ee) were attained in the Michael addition of a variety of α,β-unsaturated imides 1 and malononitrile (2) catalyzed by bifunctional thiourea 4. The pyrrolidinone moiety of 1 plays a key role in the reaction. The reaction provides access to a variety of Michael adducts 3 (see scheme; R=aryl and alkyl groups).