Asymmetric Direct Vinylogous Michael Reaction of Activated Alkenes to Nitroolefins Catalyzed by Modified Cinchona Alkaloids

The first organocatalytic and asymmetric direct vinylogous Michael reaction that employs the electron-deficient vinyl malononitriles as the
nucleophilic species has been reported. The novel transformations exhibit exclusive γ-selectivity and high diastereo- and enantioselectivity
in the addition to nitroolefins, which give the multifunctional products with two vicinal chiral centers.