Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Thiols to Cyclic Enones and Enals Catalyzed by Chiral N,N′-Dioxide–Cadmium Iodide Complex

Chiral N,N′-dioxide–cadmium iodide complex has been shown to catalyze enantioselective conjugate additions of thiols to cyclic enones and enals. The sulfides are generated in high yields and in good enantioselectivities up to 78% ee using 1 mol% of the chiral catalyst. The present reaction provides the first example of utilizing a cadmium complex as a catalyst in enantioselective reaction.