Copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of diethylzinc to alpha,beta-unsaturated imines derived from alpha-aminoacids. Enantioselective synthesis of gamma-substituted alpha-dehydroaminoesters.

[Structure: see text] A highly enantioselective synthesis of alpha-dehydroaminoacids with a stereogenic center in the gamma position through copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of diethylzinc to alpha,beta-unsaturated imines using a TADDOL-derived phosphoramidite complex is reported.