Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,4-Addition of Alkenyl Alanes to N-Substituted-2-3-dehydro-4-piperidones

Readily available vinyl alanes are used in the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition reaction to N-substituted-2-3-dehydro-4-piperidones. The enhanced reactivity of recently developed and easily prepared phosphine amine ligands in combination with inexpensive Cu(II)naphtenate (CuNp) allows the introduction of a great variety of alkenyl, alkyl, and aryl aluminums in high enantioselectivity.