Enantioselective Michael addition of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones to nitroalkenes catalyzed by binaphthyl-derived organocatalysts

The highly enantioselective Michael addition of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones to nitroalkenes, promoted by binaphthyl-modified chiral bifunctional organocatalysts is described. This reaction afforded the chiral functionalized naphthoquinones in high yields (81–95%) and excellent enantioselectivities (91–98% ee) under low catalyst loading (1 mol %).