title: Deciphering the roles of multiple additives in organocatalyzed Michael additions.
abstract: The synergistic effects of multiple additives (water and acetic acid) on the asymmetric Michael addition of acetone to nitrostyrene catalyzed by primary amine-thioureas (PAT) were precisely determined. Acetic acid facilitates hydrolysis of the imine intermediates, thus leading to catalytic behavior, and minimizes the formation of the double addition side product. In contrast, water slows down the reaction but minimizes catalyst deactivation, eventually leading to higher final yields.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Modelling, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E08034, Barcelona, Spain. ciril.jimeno@iqac.csic.es.
authors.forename: Z Inci
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Günler
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Companyó
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burés
authors.forename: Ciril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jimeno
authors.forename: Miquel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pericàs