Diphenylprolinol Silyl Ethers as Efficient Organocatalysts for the Asymmetric Michael Reaction of Aldehydes and Nitroalkenes

The direct, catalytic, asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins in the presence of a chiral diphenylprolinol silyl ether organocatalyst is described (see scheme). The desired 1,4-addition products were obtained in nearly optically pure form in good yield with high syn diastereoselectivity. TMS=trimethylsilyl. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2005/z500599_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.