Facile and efficient conjugate additions of β-dicarbonyl compounds and nitroalkanes to 4-aryl-4-oxobut-2-enoates

Facile and efficient conjugate additions of carbon nucleophiles, such as β-dicarbonyl compounds and nitroalkanes, to 4-aryl-4-oxobut-2-enoates have been achieved under simple base catalysis. A variety of multi-functional γ-keto esters could be conveniently obtained in good to excellent yields with complete regioselectivity.