Copper/Lewis Base Cooperatively Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation Of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates With Azomethine Ylides

In this paper, an asymmetric allylic alkylation of easily available azomethine ylides with Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates through a copper (i)/Lewis base cooperative catalysis strategy has been realized. The co-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation provided the corresponding amino acid derivatives in up to 90% yields with up to 99% ee as well as good to excellent regioselectivity.