Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition of 2-arylacetates and 2-arylacetonitriles having an electron-withdrawing group to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The asymmetric organocatalytic Michael addition reaction of 2-arylacetates and 2-arylacetonitriles having an electron-withdrawing group to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes has been established using diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether as organocatalyst. The 2-arylacetates and 2-arylacetonitriles having NO2-, CO2Me-, and CN-functional groups on the aromatic ring can be used in this reaction. The desired products were obtained with good to excellent yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).