Highly Asymmetric Michael Addition to α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by 9‐Amino‐9‐deoxyepiquinine

Michael–Michael–retro-Michael cascade reactions are promoted by the highly efficient organocatalyst 9-amino-9-deoxyepiquinine (1). The asymmetric direct vinylogous Michael addition of α,α-dicyanoalkenes to α,β-unsaturated ketones may be followed by an intramolecular Michael addition and a retro-Michael reaction to afford polysubstituted 2-cyclohexen-1-one derivatives with high enantioselectivity (see example).