Readily available hydrogen bond catalysts for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of nitroolefins.

This paper focuses on readily accessible thiourea hydrogen bond catalysts derived from amino acids, whose steric and electronic features are modulated by their degree of substitution at the carbinol carbon center. These catalysts were applied in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of nitroolefins furnishing the chiral products in up to 99% yield and 86% enantiomeric excess. The proposed catalyst's mode of action is supported by mechanistic investigations.