Enantioselective formal α-allylation of nitroalkanes through a chiral iminophosphorane-catalyzed Michael reaction-Julia-Kocienski olefination sequence.

A two-step sequence for the asymmetric formal α-allylation of nitroalkanes is disclosed. This new methodology relies on the development of a highly diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to vinylic 2-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-ylsulfones using chiral triaminoiminophosphorane as a requisite base catalyst and subsequent Julia-Kocienski olefination under kinetic conditions.