Enantioselective Organocatalytic Conjugate Addition of Alkenes to α,β-Enones

We report the first example of the enantioselective conjugate addition of alkenes (aromatic enamines) to enones catalyzed by chiral primary amines. The reactions encompass a plethora of alpha,beta-enones including difficult alpha-substituted vinyl ketones to give vinylation adducts in high yields with good enantioselectivity. The methodology is of synthetic potential in accessing chiral functional materials.