Experimental and computational studies on the Cinchona anchored calixarene catalysed asymmetric Michael addition reaction.

Lower-rim Cinchona anchored calix[4]arene cationic catalysts were developed for asymmetric Michael addition of acetylacetone to β-nitrostyrenes. The desired Michael adducts were formed with high yields and enantioselectivities. Density functional theory investigations throw light on the catalyst-substrate interaction and the reaction mechanism.