Primary-secondary diamines catalyzed Michael reaction to generate chiral fluorinated quaternary carbon centers

Asymmetric Michael reactions of α-fluoro-β-ketoesters to nitroolefins have been achieved by using readily accessible primary-secondary diamines as the organocatalysts through enamine activation mode, affording the useful Michael adducts bearing chiral fluorinated quaternary carbon in good yields, with high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities (up to 87% yield, >20:1 d.r. and 99% ee).

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide