Asymmetric addition of α-hetero-disubstituted aldehydes to vinyl sulfones; formation of highly functionalized tetrasubstituted carbon centres

Aminal–pyrrolidine catalysed addition of α-hetero-disubstituted aldehydes to vinyl sulfones is described in high enantioselectivity (ee up to 97%). The obtained adducts can easily be converted to enantioenriched synthons as for example 2,2-dialkylepoxide. Evidence for a kinetic resolution is also observed