Enantioselective synthesis of nitrocyclopropanes via conjugate addition of bromomalonate to nitroalkenes catalyzed by Ni(II) complexes

A novel one-pot methodology for the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized nitrocyclopropanes promoted by chiral nickel complexes is developed. The treatment of bromomalonates with nitroalkenes under the mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding Michael adducts which cyclizes to controlled reaction conditions with excellent diasteroselectivities (>99 de) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.