Catalytic Asymmetric Peroxidation of α,β-Unsaturated Nitroalkenes by a Bifunctional Organic Catalyst

A new enantioselective peroxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated nitroalkenes was realized with an easily accessible acid-base bifunctional organic catalyst derived from cinchona alkaloids. This reaction provides unprecedented easy access to optically active chiral peroxides, as illustrated by the asymmetric synthesis of beta-peroxy nitro compounds.