Selective Michael additions to alkylidenemalonates using thiourea-based Bifunctional organocatalysts

Abstract

Bifunctional thiourea catalysts have been found to be excellent promoters of the challenging Michael addition to alkylidenemalonates giving high yields of up to 99%. Substrate structure was important for enantiodiscrimination, with aryl alkylidenemalonate acceptors furnishing products with ee values of up to 73%. ©ARKAT-USA, Inc.