Asymmetric Michael reaction of arylacetyl phosphonates to nitroalkenes with bifunctional amine-thiourea catalyst bearing multiple-hydrogen-bond donor: efficient construction of chiral α-substituted carboxylic ester compounds

Catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of arylacetyl phosphonates to nitroalkenes was achieved with a chiral bifunctional amine-thiourea bearing a multiple-hydrogen-bond donor as a catalyst. A range of alpha-substituted carboxylic ester compounds with contiguous tertiary stereocenters could be smoothly obtained in good yields (up to 85%) and with high to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 dr and 95% ee). The large scale experiment and facile synthesis of a chiral gamma-butyrolactam have also been demonstrated. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.