Catalytic Asymmetric Michael Reactions of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones with Sulfonyl‐Containing Nucleophiles: Chiral Synthesis of ( R )‐Muscone and ( S )‐Celery Ketone

An amine worth its salt : A highly enantioselective Michael addition reaction of α,β‐unsaturated ketones with the sulfonyl‐containing nucleophiles bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane and 1‐(phenylsulfonyl)propan‐2‐one, catalyzed by a chiral primary amine salt, has been developed and gives excellent enantioselectivities (see scheme). The methodology has successfully demonstrated its synthetic utility in the chiral synthesis of ( R )‐muscone and ( S )‐celery ketone.