PLANAR CHIRAL [2.2]PARACYCLOPHANE-BASED BIS(THIOUREA)-CATALYZED HIGHLY DIASTEREO- AND ENANTIOSELECTIVE MICHAEL ADDITION REACTION OF NITROETHANE TO NITROSTYRENES

To demonstrate the utility of [2.2]paracyclophane as a chiral organocatalyst backbone, we evaluated a planar chiral pseudo-ortho-[2.2]paracyclophane-based bis(thiourea) catalyst in the Michael addition reaction of nitroethane to nitrostyrenes. The catalyst produced the desired 1,3-dinitro compounds in high yields and high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.