Chiral NHC ligands bearing a pyridine moiety in copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to nitroalkenes

Abstract

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes, derived from amino acids containing a pyridine ring, are effective ligands in the enantioselective copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to β-nitroalkenes, which provides access to chiral nitroalkanes. The advantages of this process include high yields, broad and complementary substrate scope, and good to high enantioselectivities.