Chiral iminophosphorane catalyzed asymmetric Henry reaction of α,β-alkynyl ketoesters

Abstract

α,β-Alkynyl ketoesters were introduced to the enantioselective Henry reaction (nitroaldol condensation) with nitromethane catalyzed by tartaric acid derived chiral iminophosphoranes. As such, a variety of optically active β-nitro-substituted tertiary alcohols bearing alkyne moieties were obtained in good to excellent yields (42%–99%) and moderate to good level of enantiomeric excess (up to 87% ee).