Asymmetric carbonyl-ene reaction catalyzed by chiral N,N'-dioxide-nickel(II) complex: remarkably broad substrate scope

A novel and efficient chiral catalyst system based on N,N'-dioxide-nickel(II) complexes is described for the asymmetric carbonyl-ene reaction. Excellent enantioselectivities are obtained for a broad range of substrates including aromatic, aliphatic glyoxal derivatives, as well as glyoxylate with various alkenes.