ring was essential to control the stereoselectivity of the reaction. Michael adducts were obtained in high yields and moderate enantioselectivities in the reaction between 4-nitroindole and various Michael acceptors in the presence of cinchona alkaloid based phase-transfer catalysts. In addition to outlining the scope and limitations of the method, the geometries of the transition states of the reaction
preference of the protein for aromatic ketones. Modelling of the complexes with the substrates also allows us to propose a mechanism for the reduction of 1,3-diketones in which the chemoselective reduction of the first (aliphatic) carbonyl is followed by the diastereoselective reduction of the second (aromatic) carbonyl. The role of albumin is thus a combination of chemo- and stereocontrol.