Michael addition of nitroalkanes to nonactivated α,β-unsaturated δ-thiolactams: reactivity, diastereoselectivity, and comparison to α,β-unsaturated δ-lactams

Aliphatic nitrocompounds add to nonactivated α,β-unsaturated δ-thiolactams leading to 4-nitroalkyl functionalized δ-thiolactams in good yields. The addition is a stereocontrolled process with respect to substituents at C-6, and takes place producing trans 4,6-disubstituted adducts in most cases. Ease of the addition has been studied in relation to the structure of the δ-thiolactam acceptors, within the FMO-theory. Comparative study with analogous δ-lactams has shown the advantages of α,β-unsaturated δ-thiolactams in Michael addition and indicated high prospects of these compounds in the synthesis of 4-functionalized piperidine derivatives.