Asymmetric Hydrocyanation of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones into β‐Cyano Ketones with the [Ru(phgly)2(binap)]/C6H5OLi Catalyst System

Enantioselective conjugate addition of HCN to α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by the combined system of [Ru{(S)-phgly}2{(S)-binap}] and C6H5OLi has afforded β-cyano ketones in high yield (see scheme). No detectable amount of the corresponding 1,2-adduct was produced and tert-C4H9OCH3 was the solvent of choice. The cyanation was conducted with a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio in the range of 200:1–1000:1 at −20–0 °C.