Synthesis 2015; 47(14): 2063-2072
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1380203
paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Highly Enantioselective Michael Addition of Nitroalkanes to Enones and Its Application in Syntheses of (R)-Baclofen and (R)-Phenibut

Xing-Tao Guo
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(21)64252011   Email: xinyanwu@ecust.edu.cn
,
Jie Shen
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(21)64252011   Email: xinyanwu@ecust.edu.cn
,
Feng Sha*
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(21)64252011   Email: xinyanwu@ecust.edu.cn
,
Xin-Yan Wu*
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(21)64252011   Email: xinyanwu@ecust.edu.cn
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 23 January 2015

Accepted after revision: 22 March 2015

Publication Date:
19 May 2015 (online)


Abstract

A highly enantioselective Michael addition of nitroalkanes to α,β-unsaturated ketones was developed. In the presence of a chiral primary amine–thiourea catalyst based on dehydroabietic amine, γ-nitro ketones were obtained with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and in up to 96% yield. This protocol was successfully applied in asymmetric syntheses of (R)-baclofen and (R)-phenibut with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities.

Supporting Information