Asymmetric Michael reactions of α-substituted acetates with cyclic enones catalyzed by multifunctional chiral Ru amido complexes

Well-defined 16-electron chiral Ru amido complexes, Ru[(R,R)-diamine](η6-arene), efficiently catalyze asymmetric Michael additions of Michael donors to cyclic enones to give adducts in high yields and with excellent ee’s. β-Ketoesters or nitroacetate as Michael donors react with 2-cyclopentenone in toluene or t-butyl alcohol containing the Ru amido catalyst (S/C=50) to afford the Michael adduct in 99% yield and with up to 92% ee. The outcome of the reaction was delicately influenced by the structures of the diamine and arene ligands as well as reaction conditions.