syn-Selective catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition of alpha-ketoanilides to nitroalkenes under dinuclear nickel catalysis.

A syn-selective catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition of alpha-ketoanilides to nitroalkenes is described. The homodinuclear Ni(2)-Schiff base 1b complex was suitable for the reaction, and products were obtained in 61-92% yield, 8.3:1 --> 20:1 syn-selectivity, and 72-98% ee. Stereoselective transformation of the 1,4-adduct to a trisubstituted pyrrolidine was also performed.