Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc to chalcones using chiral α-amino amides

A series of α-amino amides derived from natural amino acids (alanine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, and phenylglycine) have been synthesized and fully characterized. Their Ni(II) complexes prepared from Ni(acac)2 catalyze the enantioselective conjugate addition of diethylzinc to chalcones in high yields and in good enantioselectivities (up to 84%). The side chain of the amino acid and the substituents in the amide nitrogen govern the enantioselectivity of the catalytic process.