Highly enantioselective Michael addition of acetone to nitroolefins catalyzed by chiral bifunctional primary amine-thiourea catalysts with acetic acid

Highly enantioselective Michael reaction of acetone with a variety of nitroolefins catalyzed by N-[(1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexyl]-N′-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-thiourea (1b) together with acetic acid is described. The Michael addition products were obtained in high yields (76–94%) and up to 96% ee.