Organocatalytic asymmetric domino Michael-Henry reaction for the synthesis of substituted bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-2-ones

The first organocatalytic asymmetric reaction between 1,4-cyclohexanedione and nitroalkenes have been studied, affording bicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives containing four continuous stereogenic centres. The products were obtained through a domino Michael-Henry process as a single diastereoisomer with excellent enantioselectivities