Novel pyrrolidine-thiohydantoins/thioxotetrahydropyrimidinones as highly effective catalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition

The synthesis of novel organocatalysts consisting of a pyrrolidine moiety and a thiohydantoin or a thioxotetrahydropyrimidinone ring is described. The compound combining the pyrrolidine with the thioxotetrahydropyrimidinone was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the Michael reaction. Low catalyst loadings (1–2.5%) can be employed leading to quantitative yields and excellent stereoselectivities in the reaction between cyclic ketones and nitroolefins.