Metallophosphite-catalyzed asymmetric acylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides.

The l-menthone-derived TADDOL phosphite 6b catalyzes highly enantioselective conjugate additions of acyl silanes to alpha,beta-unsaturated amides. p-Methoxybenzoyl cyclohexyldimethylsilane adds to a variety of N,N-dimethyl acrylamide derivatives in the presence of the lithium salt of 6b. In many instances the alpha-silyl-gamma-ketoamide product undergoes facile enantioenrichment (to 97-99% ee) upon recrystallization.