Lewis base catalyzed enantioselective additions of an N-silyl vinylketene imine

Outside the limits: In the title reaction the nucleophile 1 represents a synthetic equivalent of nucleophilic allylic nitriles and addresses some of the current limitations associated with reactions of allylic nitrile anions. Unsaturated nitriles containing a trisubstituted double bond are obtained in high yield, with excellent site selectivity and good to excellent stereoselectivity (see scheme; LDA=lithium diisopropylamide).