Tripeptides as Efficient Asymmetric Catalysts for 1,4‐Addition Reactions of Aldehydes to Nitroolefins–A Rational Approach

Bridging the gap: Conformational analysis of a peptidic catalyst for aldol reactions led to the development of H-D-Pro-Pro-Asp-NH2 as a highly efficient catalyst for conjugate addition reactions between aldehydes and nitroolefins (see scheme). Only 1 mol % of catalyst suffices to obtain γ-nitroaldehydes in excellent yields and stereoselectivities.