C3-Symmetric chiral trisimidazoline: the role of a third imidazoline and its application to the nitro Michael reaction and the α-amination of β-ketoesters

We describe the necessity of the C-3-symmetry and the role of a third imidazoline of trisimidazoline 3, which was recently developed by us as a new entry of organocatalyst. The utility of 3 as a Bronsted base catalyst in the nitro Michael reaction and the alpha-amination of beta-ketoesters was shown, and the re-cyclability of the catalyst was also demonstrated. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.