Substrate-controlled and highly stereoselective synthesis of 2-aminobut-2-ene-1, 4-diones

Abstract 2-Methylthio-substituted 1,4-enediones, obtained from readily available aryl methyl ketones, were reacted with primary or secondary amines to afford the desired 1,4-diaryl-2-aminobut-2-ene-1,4-diones in excellent yields with high Z / E -stereoselectivity.