Abstract Enantioselective synthesis of unnatural (–)-methoxyestrone in 12 steps from the commercially available tetralone based on the formation of a chiral bicyclic intermediate having the A–B steroid ring framework was accomplished. The crucial synthetic step comprised the enantioselective conjugate addition of vinylmagnesium bromide to a chiral imine formed from a trisubstituted cyclic α, β-unsaturated aldehyde with> 98% ee, giving ...
