An amphiphilic organic catalyst for the direct asymmetric Michael addition of cycloketone to nitroolefins in water

A series of amphiphilic proline-derived mercapto imidazole organic catalysts were synthesized and shown to be very effective with an acid cocatalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition reaction of ketones to nitroolefins with high diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1) and execellent enantioselectivity (up to 96%) using water as solvent.

Graphical AbstractMichael addition was catalyzed by a new amphiphilic proline]derived mercapto imidazole organic catalyst using water as solvent with high diastereoselectivity (99:1 d.r.) and execellent enantioselectivity (96% ee).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide