The first example of asymmetric Michael reaction catalyzed by chiral alkali metal alkoxides

Some chiral sodium alkoxides can be used as catalysts in the asymmetric Michael reaction as exemplified by the 1,4-addition of an achiral NiII complex of the Schiff base derived from glycine andN-(2-pyridylcarbonyl)-o-aminobenzophenone (1) to methyl methacrylate (2) or methyl acrylate (14). The products of the reaction of1 with2,viz., the corresponding diastereomeric complexes of 4-methylglutamic acid, are formed in dissimilar amounts (de 26–85%); theee value for the major diastereomer (2S,4R)-3a is 28%. After recrystallization, the enantiomeric purity of complex3a increases toee>85%. Acidcatalyzed hydrolysis of the enantiomerically enriched complex3a affords (2S,4R)-4-methylglutamic acid (ee>85%). The complex of glutamic acid15 resulting from the reaction of1 with14 is formed with anee of 45%. After recrystallization, the enantiomeric purities of complex15 and glutamic acid increase toee>90%.