Microwave-assisted synthesis of guanidine organocatalysts bearing a tetrahydroisoquinoline framework and their evaluation in Michael addition reactions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201200303

The simple and practical syntheses of chiral guanidine organocatalysts and their evaluation in the asymmetric Michael addition reaction of malonates and β-keto esters with nitro-olefins is reported. These organocatalysts are the first of their kind based on a tetrahydroisoquinoline framework. In addition, a microwave-assisted procedure for introducing the guanidine unit onto amino amide derivatives is reported. The chiral products were obtained with quantitative chemical efficiency (up to 99 % yield) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). Copyright