<i>N</i>-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Michael Addition Reaction

Abstract

The Michael addition is an important reaction in organic chemistry, and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) can also catalyze the Michael addition as an organic catalyst. In this paper, the NHC-catalyzed Michael addition is described in detail, addition of the NHC to the aldehyde forms the Breslow intermediate with nucleophilicity, aldehydes undergo the umpolung from electrophilic to nucleophilic and react with the Michael acceptor. The NHC can also be used as Brønsted base to activate alcohols and undergo Michael addition reactions. The introduction of NHC-catalyzed Michael addition can enrich and extension the content of the Michael addition in undergraduate curriculum. It is also helpful for the students to understand the cutting-edge development of the discipline and stimulate students' interests in learning.