Novel cyclic β-aminophosphonate derivatives as efficient organocatalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones to nitrostyrenes

Abstract Three novel catalysts based upon cyclic β-aminophosphonate derivatives 1 – 3 were designed to catalyze the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones to β-nitrostyrenes. Among the catalysts that have been prepared in this study, cyclic β-aminophosphonic acid monoethylester 3 showed the highest catalytic ability, giving the corresponding Michael adduct in good yields, high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee), and high diastereoselectivities ( syn : anti up to 95:5).