Nitroso and Azo Compounds in Modern Organic Synthesis: Late Blooming but Very Rich

Two types of chiral Brønsted acid catalysts have been shown to catalyze regio- and enantioselective nitroso aldol synthesis between nitrosobenzene and achiral enamine. The combination of Brønsted acidity and amine moiety of enamine realizes complete regioselectivity with high enantioselectivity. After a survey of Brønsted acid catalysts, 1-naphthyl glycolic acid is found to be optimal in the O-nitroso aldol pathway, while 1-naphthyl TADDOL is the best catalyst for the N-nitroso aldol pathway. This is based on our finding on the control of regioselectivity by changing the amine moiety of enamine and the choice of Brønsted acidity.