Enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins catalyzed by pyrrolidine-HOBt

The oxytriazole catalyst pyrrolidine-HOBt developed for asymmetric Michael addition of cyclohexanone to nitroolefins is now evaluated for the asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins under similar reaction conditions. The results of this study indicate that, the oxytriazole catalyst pyrrolidine-HOBt is equally effective in promoting the Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins on employing benzoic acid as an additive. The desired products, gamma-nitrocarbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields and high enantioselectivities. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.