Valine-derived phosphinothiourea as organocatalyst in enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions of acrylates with aromatic aldehydes

A new type of chiral bifunctional phosphinothiourea derived from L-valine is synthesized and used as an organocatalyst in the enantioselective Monta-Baylis-Hillman reaction of aromatic aldehydes with acrylates. The desired products were obtained in good enantioselectivities (up to :33% ee) and in excellent yields (up to 96%) under mild reaction conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved