Highly Efficient Asymmetric Michael Addition of Diaryl Phosphine Oxides to α,β‐Unsaturated N‐Acylated Oxazolidin‐2‐ones

A highly efficient asymmetric Michael reaction of diaryl phosphine oxides with α,β-unsaturated N-acylated oxazolidinones has been developed. Excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee) and chemical yields (up to 99 %) were achieved with a broad substrate scope of the oxazolidinones. The bidentate property of oxazolidinones was found to be critical for high enantioselectivities.