Highly Efficient Amine Organocatalysts Based on Bispidine for the Asymmetric Michael Addition of Ketones to Nitroolefins

A highly diastereoselective and enantioselective Michael addition of cyclohexanone, acetone and other ketones to nitroolefins was developed by the use of an amine organocatalyst based on bispidine. Additionally, a theoretical study of transition structures revealed that this bispidine‐based primary‐secondary amine catalyst could serve through an enamine intermediate and H‐bond interaction, which was important for the reactivity and selectivity of this reaction.