Asymmetric domino aza-Michael–Michael reaction of o-N-protected aminophenyl α,β-unsaturated ketones: construction of chiral functionalized tetrahydroquinolines

The diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted tetrahydroquinolines has been developed through organocatalytic domino aza-Michael–Michael reaction of o-N-tosylaminophenyl α,β-unsaturated ketones with nitroalkenes. This useful and simple domino process afforded diverse highly functionalized tetrahydroquinolines, some of which are not easily accessible using other methodologies, in good yields and with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >30:1 dr, >99% ee). [Display omitted]