Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric C-Alkylation of Nitroalkanes: Synthesis of Enantioenriched β-Nitroamides.

A general catalytic method for asymmetric C-alkylation of nitroalkanes using nickel catalysis is described. This method enables the formation of highly enantioenriched β-nitroamides from readily available α-bromoamides using mild reaction conditions that are compatible with a wide range of functional groups. When combined with subsequent reactions, this method allows access to highly enantioenriched products with nitrogen-bearing fully substituted carbon centers.