Asymmetric Henry reaction catalyzed by a chiral Cu(II) complex: a facile enantioselective synthesis of (S)-2-nitro-1-arylethanols

A catalytic asymmetric Henry reaction has been developed using a novel chiral Cu(II) complex derived from (R)-2-(diphenylmethanol)-l-(2-pyridylmethyl)pyrrolidine and copper(II) acetate in ethanol under mild conditions. The corresponding chiral 2-nitro-1-arylethanol derivatives were obtained in high yields with moderate to good enantiomeric excess (up to 86% ee). The results indicate that the coordination of a metal atom to the nitrogen of the pyridine ring is essential in determining the stereochemistry of the process.