First Enantioselective Organocatalytic Addition of Nitromethylphenylsulfone to Enals. Enantioselective Synthesis of Cyclohexenones Bearing 3 Contiguousstereogeniccenters

A highly enantioselectiveorganocatalyticnitromethylphenylsulfone addition to aliphatic α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by simple and commercially available secondary amines, affording the cyclic compounds in moderate yields, good diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities.