Enantioselective Michael Addition of Malonates to Enones

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Many catalysts were tested in asymmetric Michael additions in order to synthesize enantioenriched products. One of the most common reaction types among the Michael reactions is the conjugated addition of malonates to enones making it possible to investigate the structure–activity relationship of the catalysts. The most commonly used Michael acceptors are chalcone, substituted chalcones, chalcone derivatives, cyclic enones, while typical donors may be dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl, diisopropyl, dibutyl, di-tert-butyl and dibenzyl malonates. This review summarizes the most important enantioselective catalysts applied in these types of reactions.

Syntheses of fluorooxindole and 2-fluoro-2-arylacetic acid derivatives from diethyl 2-fluoromalonate ester

Diethyl 2-fluoromalonate ester is utilised as a building block for the synthesis of 2-fluoro-2-arylacetic acid and fluorooxindole derivatives by a strategy involving nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions with ortho-fluoronitrobenzene substrates followed by decarboxylation, esterification and reductive cyclisation processes.

Enantioselective Alkylation of β-Keto Esters by Phase-Transfer Catalysis Using Chiral Quaternary Ammonium Salts

Catalytic enantioselective alkylation promoted by a quaternary ammonium salt from cinchonine as a phase transfer catalyst is described. Treatment of cyclo beta-keto esters with alkyl halide under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding alpha-alkylated beta-keto esters in moderate to excellent yields with high enantiomeric excesses