One-pot synthesis of polysubstituted 2-piperidinones from aromatic aldehydes, nitromethane, ammonium acetate, and dialkyl malonates.

A pseudo-five-component reaction for one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted 2-piperidinones from two equivalent aromatic aldehydes, nitromethane, ammonium acetate, and dialkyl malonates is reported. Interestingly, the formation of products was highly stereoselective. Two different stereochemical classes of polysubstituted 2-piperidinones were provided depending on the substituent position of the aromatic aldehydes. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]