Enantioselective addition of nitromethane to α-keto esters catalyzed by copper(ii)–iminopyridine complexes

Abstract

The copper complex of a chiral iminopyridine easily prepared from (R)-(−)-fenchone and picolylamine catalyzes the enantioselective Henry (nitroaldol) reaction between nitromethane and α-keto esters. Good yields and modest to good enantioselectivities are obtained for a wide range of α-keto esters, bearing aromatic, alkyl or alkenyl groups attached to the ketone carbonyl group.