Bifunctional thiourea-promoted cascade aza-Michael-Henry-dehydration reactions: asymmetric preparation of 3-nitro-1,2-dihydroquinolines

A cascade aza-Michael-Henry-dehydration reaction catalyzed by quinidine-derived tertiary amine-thiourea catalyst was developed via installation of suitable electron withdrawing groups at the amino function of aniline. This strategy led to a one-step preparation of chiral 3-nitro-1,2-dihydroquinolines in high yields and with up to 90% enantiomeric excesses.