A highly chemo- and enantioselective nitroaldol reaction of haloenals: preparation of chiral functionalized allylic alcohols

An efficient L1/Cu(II)-catalyzed highly chemoselective and enantioselective nitroaldol reaction of α- or β-haloenals with nitromethane has been described. The reaction delivered chiral functionalized allylic alcohols bearing halo and nitro groups with excellent results (up to 94% yield and 99% ee) under mild reaction conditions.