Highly enantioselective Michael addition of cyclopentanone with chalcones via novel di-iminium mechanism

The highly efficient asymmetric Michael addition reactions of cyclopentanone with chalcones were catalyzed by a simple and commercially available chiral 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-hexanedioic acid, and exhibited good yields (up to 92%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). A new di-iminium mechanism for the reaction was proposed.