Organocatalytic Nitroaldol Reaction Associated with Deuterium‐Labeling

A deuterium‐labeling reaction of nitroalkanes in deuterium oxide and the subsequent nitroaldol reaction have been accomplished under basic and organocatalytic conditions to provide the deuterium‐labeled β ‐nitroalcohols in high yields and high deuterium contents. β ‐Deuterated β ‐nitroalcohols could be smoothly obtained from the reaction of nitroalkanes and various electrophiles using the easily‐removal basic resin WA30. Furthermore, the asymmetric nitroaldol reaction using nitromethane and α ‐keto esters as electrophiles in the presence of a quinine‐derived organocatalyst in deuterium oxide could provide the desired β ‐deuterated nitroalcohol derivatives with high enantioselectivities.