Highly enantioselective Michael addition of isobutyraldehyde to nitroalkenes

The asymmetric catalytic Michael reaction between isobutyraldehyde and nitroalkanes with chiral primary amine thiourea organocatalysts was described. In the presence of 10 mol % of 1-((1R,2R)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethyl)-3-benzylthiourea, the desired products were achieved in excellent enantioselectivity (up to>99% ee) with up to 98% yield.