Catalytic Activity of epi-Quinine-Derived 3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzamide in Asymmetric Nitro-Michael Reaction of Furanones

High catalytic activity of novel epi-quinine-derived 3,5-bis­(CF3)­benzamide in the asymmetric nitro-Michael reaction is described. With 0.1–5 mol % loadings of this catalyst, the addition of 5-substituted 2­(3-H)-furanones to a wide range of nitroalkenes involving challenging substrates, β-alkylnitroalkenes, smoothly proceeded, giving the Michael adducts in high yields (>90%) with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity (>98:2 dr, syn major; 88–98% ee). DFT calculation was carried out to account for the high catalytic activity.