Three-Component, DiastereoselectiveSynthesis of Highly Functionalized Indane DerivativesBased on an Anionic Domino Sequence from α-Nitroketones

The reaction between seven- or eight-membered cyclic α-nitroketones and aromatic 1,2-dialdehydes in the presence of DBU, with tetrahydrofuran containing some water as solvent, afforded 2-nitroindane-1,2-diols with three contiguous stereocenters, one of which is quaternary, in a one-pot, diastereoselective fashion.