| abstract |
A process for producing an asymmetric compound (IV), characterized by causing a compound (II) to add a nucleophilic reagent (III) through conjugate addition in the presence of an asymmetric urea compound (I). Also provided is a nonmetallic asymmetric catalyst capable of realizing asymmetric conjugate addition reaction which attain high yield and are highly stereoselective. The process is an advantageous process for producing an asymmetric compound by an asymmetric conjugate addition reaction in which the catalyst is used. [In the formulae, X represents oxygen or sulfur; C*, C**, and C*** each indicates asymmetric carbon; R1, R2, R4, R5, R8, R9, and R10 each represents optionally substituted lower alkyl, etc., provided that, for example, R4 and R5 may be bonded to each other to form an optionally substituted homocycle, etc.; R3 represents optionally substituted aryl, etc.; R6 and R7 each represents hydrogen, etc.; Nu represents -CR16(COR17)(COR18) (wherein R16, R17, and R18 each represents optionally substituted lower alkyl, etc.), etc.; and EWG represents an electron-withdrawing group.] |