Direct Enantioselective Vinylogous Mannich Reaction of Ketimines with γ-Butenolide by Using Cinchona Alkaloid Amide/Zinc(II) Catalysts.

A direct enantioselective vinylogous Mannich reaction of ketimines with γ-butenolide has been developed. Good yields and enantioselectivities were observed for the reaction of various ketimines by using a cinchona alkaloid amide/Zn(OTf)2 catalyst and Et3N. Both enantiomers of the products could be obtained by using pseudoenantiomeric chiral catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]