A chiral pyrrolide-based diamine in combination with benzoic acid has been found to be an effective organocatalyst for Michael addition of alpha,alpha-disubstituted aldehydes with nitroolefins. The reaction provided the desired Michael products possessing all-carbon quaternary center with high yields (76-98%) and high levels of enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) under solvent-free reaction conditions. The procedure presented is simple and makes this method suitable for practical use. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.