Trimethylaluminium undergoes enantioselective (ee up to 93%) copper-catalysed Michael addition to various nitroalkenes. Copper thiophenecarboxylate (CuTC) (2 mol %) and 4 mol% of a chiral phosphoramidite ligand are sufficient for a complete and clean reaction. The synthesis of (+)-ibuprofen is described with 82% ee. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.