Novel 1,4-asymmetric induction in nucleophilic 1,2-additions to chiral γ-amino enals

Abstract
γ-Dibenzylamino enals 3a with the E-configuration derived from amino acids 1 react diastereoselectively with cuprates in an unexpected 1,2-manner, while the analogues 3b with the Z-configuration undergo diastereoselective additions with organolithium reagents.