Regiodivergent 1,4 versus 1,6 Asymmetric Copper‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition

Metal matters: A highly regiodivergent copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition to α,β and γ,δ Michael acceptors is described. Zinc and aluminum reagents afford the 1,6 adduct with good to moderate enantioselectivity in the presence of ligand 1 (see scheme). In contrast, Grignard reagents used with hydroxy imidazolium ligand 2 afforded the 1,4 adduct with excellent ee values.