Highly Enantioselective Copper(I)-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Terminal Alkynes to 1,1-Difluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-3-en-2-ones: New Ester/Amide Surrogates in Asymmetric Catalysis

A highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed conjugate alkynylation of monoactivated enones, namely 1,1-difluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-3-en-2-ones, is described. The reaction products are obtained with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (from 92 to 99% ee). The -alkynylated difluoro(phenylsulfonyl) ketones can be converted into the corresponding -alkynylated difluoro- and trifluoromethyl ketones, esters and amides. This is the first example on the use of 1,1-difluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-3-en-2-ones as substrates in an enantioselective reaction, which have been shown to be new ester/amide surrogates.