Novel chiral thioureas for highly enantioselective Michael reactions of malonates to nitroalkenes

Highly efficient Michael addition reactions of malonates to nitroalkenes catalyzed by novel chiral thioureas derived from optically pure BINOL and amino acids are reported. Various trans-nitroalkenes reacted with malonates affording the desired products in up to 95% yield with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).