Highly Enantioselective Cu‐Catalyzed Conjugate Additions of Dialkylzinc Reagents to Unsaturated Furanones and Pyranones: Preparation of Air‐Stable and Catalytically Active Cu–Peptide Complexes

The first generally effective method for catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition (ACA) of dialkylzinc reagents to unsaturated furanones and pyranones (see scheme) with different steric and electronic properties is reported. Synthesis, isolation, and characterization of catalytically active and air-stable chiral Cu–peptide complexes are also described.