Enantioselective conjugate addition of thiols to enones and enals catalyzed by chiral N-oxide–cadmium complex

Abstract

A novel method of enantioselective conjugate addition of thiols to enones and enals produces sulfides with enantioselectivities up to 78% ee, employing a cadmium complex of (S)-3,3′-dimethyl-2,2′-biquinoline N,N′-dioxide 1 as a catalyst.