Highly enantioselective water-compatible organocatalyst for Michael reaction of ketones to nitroolefins

A chiral diamine was found to catalyze enantioselective addition of ketones to nitroolefins in aqueous/saline/organic media. The products were obtained with excellent diastereoselectivities (synlanti = 99:1) and enantioselectivities up to 99%. The reaction could be facilitated using a mild acid.