Organocatalysts have been developed that promote the asymmetric conjugate addition of nitroalkanes. These peptide catalysts were designed with histidine and arginine residues around a central beta-turn core. Optimization of catalyst structure and determination of the role of each amino acid will be discussed. Additionally the selectivity of the catalysts differ with both the steric and electronic nature of the nitroalkane substrates. These various effects will be examined in the context of specific interactions with the catalyst.
Back to Organic Chemistry Session II
Back to The 33rd Northeast Regional Meeting (July 14-17, 2005)