Chiral phosphinothiourea organocatalyst in the enantioselective Morita–Baylis–Hillman reactions of aromatic aldehydes with methyl vinyl ketone

A new class of chiral phosphinothioureas has been developed as efficient organocatalyst for the enantioselective Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction of aromatic aldehydes with methyl vinyl ketone. The reaction proceeds under very mild conditions to afford the desired product in a short time period in good to excellent yields with up to 94% ee.