Organocatalytic enantioselective Michael addition of a kojic acid derivative to nitro olefins

Org Biomol Chem. 2012 Apr 21;10(15):2950-4. doi: 10.1039/c2ob07192d. Epub 2012 Mar 8.

Abstract

By employing a chiral bifunctional thiourea-tertiary amine as catalyst, enantioselective Michael addition of a kojic acid derivative to nitro olefins was realised. The reactions afforded the products with good yields (up to 99%) in good enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). In addition, the absolute configuration of one product was determined.