Zinc-Catalyzed Direct Asymmetric Vinylogous Michael Addition

Significance

This paper described the dinuclear zinc-catalyzed direct asymmetric Michael addition to nitroalkenes. This methodology provided synthetically useful γ-substituted butenolides in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the authors have extended the scope of the dinuclear zinc catalyst to vinylogous nucleophili­city.