Effective asymmetric Michael addition of acetone to nitroalkenes promoted by chiral proline amide-thiourea bifunctional catalysts

Abstract

A series of secondary amine-thiourea catalysts 1a-1d derived from L-proline and chiral diamine were prepared and successfully applied to the Michael addition of acetone to trans-nitroalkenes in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (44-91% ee).