The catalytic asymmetric Knoevenagel condensation

116 years after the discovery of the Knoevenagel condensation, the first catalytic asymmetric variant has been developed. Dynamic kinetic resolution in the reaction of α-branched aldehydes with malonates in the presence of a newly designed and readily available modified cinchona amine catalyst gives the corresponding alkylidene malonates in high enantioselectivity (see scheme).