Highly enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition of nitroalkanes to 4-oxo-enoates

A useful Michael addition reaction using nitroalkanes as the nucleophile and 4-oxo-enoates as the Michael acceptor has been disclosed, and the reaction allows expedient access to functionalized chiral gamma-keto esters in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee), with a low catalyst loading.