Asymmetric addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to ketones catalyzed by Al(salen)/triphenylphosphine oxide

Trimethylsilyl cyanide asymmetrically adds to various ketones by catalysis of /triphenylphosphine oxide. This is a double activation where acts as Lewis acid and Ph3PO Lewis base. Various ketones were subjected to the enantioselective addition so as to give up to 92% ee and >90% yield.