title: Copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition to challenging Michael acceptors and synthesis of relevant target molecules.
abstract: We report herein the enantioselective Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition of organometallic reagents to sensitive Michael acceptors and their application to the synthesis of relevant target molecules. This is one of the most important methodologies to form a C-C bond in an enantioselective  manner. A wide range of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and β,γ-unsaturated-α-ketoesters has been successfully used. Reactivity, regio- and enantioselectivities were strongly dependent on the reaction conditions, therefore moderate to very good results were obtained.  Furthermore, γ-substituted-α-ketoesters were used as chiral building blocks for further derivatization with complete retention of the chiral information to obtain key compounds.
authors.affiliation: University of Geneva, Department of Organic Chemistry Quai Ernest-Ansermet, Genève, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gremaud
authors.forename: Laëtitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palais
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alexakis