Highly enantioselective direct Michael addition of nitroalkanes to nitroalkenes catalyzed by amine-thiourea bearing multiple hydrogen-bonding donors.

A highly diastereoselective and enantioselective Michael addition of nitroalkanes to nitroalkenes has been achieved by chiral bifunctional amine-thiourea catalyst bearing multiple hydrogen-bonding donors. This catalytic system performs well over a broad scope of substrates, furnishing various 1,3-dinitro compounds in high diastereoselectivity (up to 98:2) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) under mild conditions. Multiple hydrogen bonding donors play a significant role in accelerating reactions, improving diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities.