Potassium trifluoro(organo)borates in rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-additions to α,β-unsaturated esters

This letter describes an efficient and enantioselective conjugate addition of highly stable potassium trifluoro(organo)borates to α,β-unsaturated esters. This reaction, catalyzed by chiral rhodium(I) complexes, affords Michael adducts with high yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 96%.