Catalytic asymmetric construction of tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters by conjugate addition of dialkyl phosphine oxides to β,β-disubstituted α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

The catalytic asymmetric phospha-Michael reaction of dialkyl phosphine oxides with β,β-disubstituted α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was achieved. The products bearing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).