Asymmetric Michael addition of α-fluoro-α-phenylsulfonyl ketones to nitroolefins catalyzed by phenylalanine-based bifunctional thioureas

Phenylalanine-based bifunctional thiourea derivatives promoted the asymmetric Michael addition of α-fluoro-α-phenylsulfonyl ketones to nitroolefins, affording enantiomerically enriched fluorine-containing multifunctional molecules containing adjoining chiral fluorine-substituted quaternary and tertiary centers in good yields and enantioselectivities.