Diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of alpha,gamma-diaminobutyric acid derivatives via Cu-catalyzed asymmetric Michael reaction.

The first highly diastereo- and enantioselective catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of glycine derivatives to nitroalkenes have been developed. The enantioselectivity of ortho-substituted products can be significantly improved by using a new 1,2-P,N-ferrocene ligand L5. The alpha,gamma-diaminoacid derivative was obtained without the loss of optical activity from the adduct.