Organocatalyzed highly stereoselective Michael addition of ketones to alkylidene malonates and nitroolefins using chiral primary-secondary diamine catalysts based on bispidine
based on bispidine have been developed to catalyze the asymmetric Michaeladdition of ketones to alkylidenemalonates and nitroalkenes. The corresponding products were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with high diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) under mild conditions using either environmentally benign water as the solvent or no solvent.