A catalyst and method for performing a Michael addition reaction between a &bgr;-dicarbonyl compound with a cyclic or acyclic enone, where the catalyst comprises a substituted or unsubstituted lanthanum-linked BINOL complex, e.g. a (R,R)-La-linked-BINOL complex (I), are described. The catalyst is stable in air, is readily separated from the reaction mixtures and may be reused if desired.