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The conjugate addition of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto-esters was studied using a series of chiral bifunctional organocatalysts. Takemoto's catalyst was found to be most efficient for this transformation. Excellent yields and good enantioselectivities were achieved for a variety of β,γ-unsaturated α-keto-esters and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. A bifunctional catalytic mechanism is proposed. The method provides a new asymmetric synthetic route for chiral courmarin derivatives.

Organocatalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of α-nitroketones to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters has been developed. A pyrrolidine-based thiourea-tertiary amine was identified as the best catalyst. The reaction was found to proceed via cascade conjugate addition and acyl transfer reaction. A number of α-nitroketones and β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters were examined in this transformation. 5-Nitro-2-acyloxypent-2-enoates were obtained in good yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The products could be hydrolyzed to provide 5-nitro-2-oxopentanoates, which are not available from the direct addition of nitromethane to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters.

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