Highly enantioselective Michael addition of cyclic ketones to chalcones catalyzed by pyrrolidine-based imides

An efficient procedure for asymmetric Michael addition reaction of cyclic ketones with low activated chalcones catalyzed by pyrrolidine-based phthalimide and 1,8-Naphthalimide catalysts was developed. The corresponding products were obtained in high yields with high diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr) and high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee) under mild conditions.