A halogen-bonding-catalyzed Michael addition reaction

Only a few studies on the use of halogen bonding in catalysis have been published so far. Herein, (benz)imidazolium-based halogen bond donors are used as catalysts in a Michael addition reaction. The most potent catalyst, a rigid atropisomer featuring two iodobenzimidazolium moieties, provided a rate acceleration versus a reference compound of ca. 50.