Double Michael addition of nitromethane to divinyl ketones: A remarkably positive effect of additive

An efficient double Michael addition of nitromethane to divinyl ketones was established in good to high yields (75-99%). A wide range of cyclohexanones were obtained with excellent diastereocontrol (up to >20:1 dr) and enantioinduction (91-99% ee) in a one-pot fashion. The involvement of basic additive significantly enhanced the reactivity of this cascade sequence.

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