Organocatalysts of tertiary-phosphines and amines catalyzed reactions of α-keto esters with cyclopent-2-enone

The reaction of α-keto esters with cyclopent-2-enone catalyzed by tertiary-phosphine organocatalyst of diphenylmethylphosphine provides the corresponding Baylis-Hillman adducts in higher yields. While the similar reaction of α-keto esters with cyclopent-2-enone furnishes the corresponding aldol adducts in the presence of tertiary-amine organocatalyst of DBU.