A General, Highly Enantioselective Michael Addition of Nitroalkanes to α,β-Unsaturated Enones Catalyzed by 9-Amino(9-deoxy)-epi-quinine: A Remarkable Additive Effect.

Abstract A particularly general protocol for the organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkanes to α,β-unsaturated enones is reported. The Michael reaction proceeded smoothly and provided the desired adducts in moderate to excellent yields (55–99%) and good to excellent enantioselectivities (65–99% ee). The addition of readily available achiral base significantly enhanced the reactivity without compromising the enantioselectivity.