Molecular sieves 4A work to mediate the catalytic metal enolization of nucleophile precursors: application to catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition reactions

Molecular sieves 4A (MS4A) work effectively as base leading to catalytic generation of nickel(II) enolate or nitronate nucleophiles through deprotonation of the α-hydrogen atom of nucleophile precursors on treatment with a catalytic amount of chiral nickel(II) ions. The resulting reactive intermediates can be successfully trapped with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl electrophiles to produce the corresponding Michael adducts in good yields with high enantioselectivities.