title: Organocatalytic direct michael reaction of ketones and aldehydes with beta-nitrostyrene in brine.
abstract: We have developed a direct, asymmetric Michael reaction that can be performed in brine or seawater without addition of organic solvents. A bifunctional catalyst with long hydrophobic alkyl chains efficiently catalyzed Michael reactions and afforded the desired products in excellent yield with high enantiomeric excess, even when only an equal molar ratio of the donor to acceptor was used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science, Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Hamamatsu 432-8561, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mase
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Hidemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoda
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takabe
authors.forename: Fujie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Barbas