Squaramide-catalysed asymmetric cascade aza-Michael/Michael addition reaction for the synthesis of chiral trisubstituted pyrrolidines

A squaramide catalysed aza-Michael/Michael cascade reaction between nitroalkenes and tosylaminomethyl enones or enoates afforded highly functionalized chiral pyrrolidines in good yields (up to 99%) with good diastereoselectivities (up to 91 : 9 dr) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) under mild conditions.