The isosteviol derived bifunctional primary amine-squaramide organocatalysts were applied in the Michael addition between nitroalkenes and acetophenone. The conjugate addition isomers of two configurations were observed with high yields (up to 93% yield) and good enantioselectivity (up to 91% ee) at room temperature.
Keywords: Isosteviol, asymmetric catalysis, organocatalyst, squaramide, michael reaction, nitroalkenes.