Organocatalytic conjugate addition of 2-arylacetates and 2-arylacetonitriles having an electron-withdrawing group to α,β-unsaturated ketones

A catalytic conjugate addition reaction of 2-arylacetates and 2-arylacetonitriles having an electron-withdrawing group to α,β-unsaturated ketones has been established using pyrrolidine as a catalyst. The reagents having NO 2 - , CO2Me-, and CN-functional groups on the aromatic ring can be used; the reaction with various α,β-unsaturated ketones provided the Michael addition products in good yields.