Asymmetric Organocatalytic Michael/Michael/Henry Sequence to Construct Cyclohexanes with Six Vicinal Stereogenic Centers

An efficient, asymmetric, catalytic, triple-cascade reaction between α-keto esters and nitroalkenes to construct cyclohexanes with six vicinal stereogenic centers in good yields and with high enantioselectivities has been established. A bifunctional guanidine–amide organocatalyst proved to be useful for the Michael/Michael/Henry sequence through Bronsted base and hydrogen-bonding cooperative catalysis.