Enantioselective direct vinylogous Michael addition for constructing enantioenriched γ,γ-dialkyl substituted butyrolactams and octahydroindoles.

A nickel(II)-catalyzed asymmetric direct vinylogous Michael addition of γ-alkyl monosubstituted α,β-unsaturated butyrolactams to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been disclosed, affording γ,γ-dialkyl substituted butyrolactams in good yields and satisfactory enantioselectivities. A tandem catalytic asymmetric vinylogous Michael addition/intramolecular Michael addition has also been developed based on this reaction, which enabled the construction of enantioenriched octahydroindoles with three consecutive stereogenic carbon centers.