Asymmetric Direct Vinylogous Michael Addition to 2‑Enoylpyridine <i>N</i>‑Oxides Catalyzed by Bifunctional Thio-Urea

Catalytic enantioselective direct vinylogous Michael addition of α,α-dicyanoalkenes to 2-enoylpyridine <i>N</i>-oxides with a bifunctional organocatalyst is described. The methodology offers an efficient way to install an asymmetric carbon–carbon bond at the γ-position of α,α-dicyanoalkenes in excellent regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. Further, application in desymmetrization of achiral α,α-dicyanoalkene to access highly functionalized enantioenriched cyclo­hexylidene­malono­nitrile derivatives has been demonstrated