Enantioselective Mukaiyama-Michael Reaction Catalyzed by a Chiral Rhodium Complex Based on Pinene-Modified Pyridine Ligands.

The rhodium complex Λ-Rh1 containing chiral pinene-modified pyridine ligands is prepared through a two-step synthetic procedure; it exhibits excellent reactivity and enantiocontrol towards the enantioselective Mukaiyama-Michael reaction of α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles with silyl enol ethers, affording enantioenriched 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds in good yields (up to 99 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee).