Chiral Binuclear Copper(II) Catalyzed Nitroaldol Reaction: Scope and Mechanism.

Abstract Chiral binuclear copper(II) Schiff base complexes 4a–g have been prepared from aldehydes 1a,b, (S)-amino alcohols 2a–f, and Cu(OAc)2·1H2O in high yield. Their catalysis is studied for the addition of nitroalkanes to aldehydes at ambient conditions with 76:24 er.