Asymmetric Michael reaction of 2-cyanopropionates with vinyl ketones or acrolein in the presence of 0.1–1 mol% of a rhodium catalyst prepared in situ from RhH (CO)(PPh3) 3 and a trans-chelating chiral diphosphine ligand (S, S)-(R, R)-PhTRAP in benzene at 3–5° C gave optically active Michael adducts with high enantiomeric excesses (83–93% ee) in high yields. The reaction of 2-cyanopropionate with methacrolein and crotonaldehyde ...