Asymmetric Morita–Baylis–Hillman reactions of 2-cyclohexen-1-one catalyzed by chiral biaryl-based bis(thiourea) organocatalysts

Newly-developed bis(thiourea) 1d was found to be an efficient organocatalyst for the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction. High enantioselectivities were obtained in the reaction of 2-cyclohexen-1-one with both aromatic aldehydes (up to 84% ee) and aliphatic aldehydes (up to 96% ee).