title: Nitrophenylacetonitriles as versatile nucleophiles in enantioselective organocatalytic conjugate additions.
abstract: Arylacetonitriles are able to participate in organocatalytic Michael additions to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes by incorporating a nitro group at the phenyl ring, which acts as a temporary activating group in a remote position and allows further transformations. The sequential protocol Michael addition/NaBH(4) reduction/lactonization allows the synthesis of diastereomerically pure disubstituted lactones in high yield and optical purity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco 28049. belen.cid@uam.es
authors.forename: M Belén
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cid
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duce
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: José Luis García
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ruano