Synthesis of fine chemicals by the conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to electrophilic alkenes*
R. Ballini, L. Barboni, G. Bosica, D. Fiorini, and A. Palmieri
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche dell'Università di Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Abstract: Several aliphatic nitro compounds have been employed as stabilized carbanions in the conjugate addition to a variety of electron-poor alkenes (Michael reaction). Depending on the nature of the alkene, new carbon-carbon single or double bonds can be generated. However, all the Michael adducts can be efficiently utilized as key building blocks for the synthesis of a huge array of fine chemicals, including homo- and heterocyclic structures.
Keywords: nitroalkanes; Michael reaction; fine chemicals; carbon-carbon single bond; carbon-carbon double bond.
*Paper based on a presentation at the 15th International Symposium on Fine Chemistry and Functional Polymers (FCFP-XV) and the 1st International Symposium on Novel Materials and Synthesis (NMS-I), 17-20 October 2005, Shanghai, China. Other presentations are published in this issue, pp. 1803-1896.