Enantioselective Michael reaction of nitroalkanes onto nitroalkenes catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid derivatives

An effective asymmetric synthesis of optically active 1,3-dinitro compounds via the direct Michael addition of nitroalkanes onto nitroalkenes has been described. In the presence of readily modified cinchona alkaloid derivatives, nitroethane reacted well with a variety of aromatic and heterocyclic aromatic nitroalkenes to afford products with good diastereoselectivities (dr up to 72/28) and enantioselectivities (ee up to 94%). The catalyst loading can be decreased to 2   mol   % without compromising the asymmetric induction or the reaction rate.