A Novel Proline-based Acridone Bifunctional Organocatalyst for the Asymmetric Michael Addition of Cyclohexanone

The rigid and planar acridone moiety was successfully linked with a chiral pyrrolidine template through an amide bond to develop a novel organocatalyst. This organocatalyst competently promotes the asymmetric Michael addition of cyclohexanone to nitroolefins with anisole, naphthalene, and heterocyclic aromatic rings under neat conditions. In this novel approach, the acridone moiety proved effective in chiral organocatalysis.