Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of ethyl nitroacetate to enones using natural amino acids-derived C1-symmetric chiral primary–secondary diamines

A highly organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of ethyl nitroacetate to enones by using C1-symmetric chiral primary–secondary diamines has been developed. In assistance of o-nitrobenzoic acid, chiral amine 1f which was derived from l-tryptophane and d-camphor can effectively promote the transformation in high yields (up to 96%) and enantioselectivities (up to 95%) under mild conditions.