Enantioselective Organocatalyzed Michael Additions of Nitroalkanes to 4‐Arylidenedihydrofuran‐2,3‐diones and 4‐Arylidenepyrrolidine‐2,3‐diones

Despite tremendous efforts towards the development of organocatalytic enantioselective Michael additions of nitroalkanes to α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds, highly substituted electrophiles remain challenging. β‐Arylidene‐α‐ketolactones and α‐ketolactams are used as highly electrophilic Michael acceptors that afford the corresponding products in moderate to good yields, with high enantioselectivities.