One-pot synthesis of homoallylic ketones from the addition of vinyl grignard reagent to carboxylic esters

Fifteen homoallylic ketones have been synthesized in 26-77% yields on treatment of aromatic, aliphatic, and alpha-amino methyl carboxylates with excess vinylmagnesium bromide and catalytic amounts of a copper salt in THF. Alpha-amino homoallylic ketones derived from N-protected alpha-amino esters possessing aliphatic and alcohol side chains were synthesized in > or =98% enantiomeric purity. [reaction: see text]