Pyrrolidine–pyridine base catalysts for the enantioselective Michael addition of ketones to chalcones

A series of pyrrolidine–pyridine base organocatalysts have been developed and 3a found to be a highly effective catalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones to chalcones. The reaction generated the corresponding products 1, 5-diketones in excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 100% ee).