Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition of Nitroalkanes and Other Nucleophiles to β-Trifluoromethylated Acrylamides

An organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkanes to trifluoromethylated acrylamides in good yields and with good to excellent diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities is described. The Michael adducts could be readily transformed into optically pure trifluoromethylated gamma-aminobutyric acid 7 in high yields without loss in enantioselectivities.