Synthesis and Applications of (-)-(S)-3-Aminoquinuclidine- Derived Thiourea

Abstract

A synthesis of enantiopure thiourea organocatalyst based on (-)-(S)-3-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride was developed with quantitative product yield. The catalyst was tested in different reactions: asymmetric Michael addition of ketones and malonates to nitroalkenes, nitromethane 1,4-addition to trans-chalcone, and Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with trans-β-nitrostyrene. The novel thiourea proved to catalyze the aforementioned reactions and expected products were obtained in mediocre yields and low enantioselectivities.