Efficacy of Selenourea Organocatalysts in Asymmetric Michael Reactions under Standard and Solvent-Free Conditions

Molecules
2021.0

Abstract

By varying the steric and electronic surroundings of the hydrogen-bonding motif, the novel chiral Cinchona-alkaloid based selenoureas were developed. Acting as bifunctional catalysts, they were applied in the Michael reactions of dithiomalonate and nitrostyrene providing chiral adducts with up to 96% ee. The asymmetric Michael—hemiacetalization reaction of benzylidene pyruvate and dimedone, performed with the assistance of 5 mol% of selenoureas, furnished the product with up to 93% ee and excellent yields. The effectiveness of the new hydrogen-bond donors was also proved in solvent-free reactions under ball mill conditions, supporting the sustainability of the devised catalytic protocol. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

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