The use of N-iPr-2,2'-bipyrrolidine derivatives as organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael additions

Abstract

The recent rapid growth of organocatalysis has shown a new approach in organic chemistry and presents the obvious advantage in the avoidance of expensive and often toxic metals. Moreover, the organocatalysts are generally easier to make than standard catalytic reagents. Therefore, our laboratory has synthesized N-alkyl-2,2́bipyrrolidine derivatives as a new class of organocatalysts and applied them to the asymmetric Michael addition of ketones and aldehydes to nitroolefins via an enamine intermediate. We have furthermore developed the first asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl sulfones catalyzed with our diamines. The 1,4 adducts are obtained in good yields with enantioselectivities up to 80% ee. The determination of absolute configuration allowed us to postulate a Si,Si transition state model, as described previously for nitroolefins. © Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft.