A Highly Efficient and Recyclable Ionic Liquid Anchored Pyrrolidine Catalyst for Enantioselective Michael Additions

Abstract

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of cyclohexanone to aryl nitroolefins in the presence of an ionic liquid anchored pyrrolidine (10 mol%) and TFA (5 mol%) generated the corresponding adducts in high yields (up to 95%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). Furthermore, the catalyst could be recycled and reused at least eight times without loss of its catalytic activity.