Method of synthesizing (1R,2R)-nitroalcohol compound

A method of synthesizing a (1R,2R)-nitroalcohol compound of formula (I), comprising:

• subjecting a compound of formula (II) and a compound of formula (III) to a condensation reaction in an organic solvent in the presence of a copper complex generated in situ from a chiral (1S,2R)-amino alcohol ligand and a cupric salt to produce the (1R,2R)-nitroalcohol compound of formula (I), as shown in the following reaction scheme:
• wherein:
• R1 is hydrogen, methylsulfonyl, bromo, cyano, fluoro, methoxy, methylthio, methyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, acetoxy, or chloro;
• and
• R2 is hydrogen or tert-butyl dim ethyl silyl;
• the chiral (1S,2R)-amino alcohol ligand is (1S,2R)-2-(diisopropylamino)-1,2-diphenyl ethan-1-ol;
• the cupric salt is cupric acetate monohydrate or cupric trifluoromethanesulfonate;
• and
• the condensation reaction is performed at −15-15° C. for 48-120 h.