Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,3-Enyne Scaffolds: Design and Synthesis of Conjugated Nitro Dienynes as Novel Michael Acceptors and Development of a New Synthetic Methodology.

A novel catalytic enantioselective synthesis of functionalized 1,3-enynes has been developed featuring the design and synthesis of conjugated nitro dienynes as a useful new class of Michael acceptors. Moreover, a simple, yet flexible catalytic cascade approach to functionalized enantioenriched acyclic α,β-enones and cyclic dienones has also been developed.