A new analogue of the proline derived organocatalyst 'pyrrolidine-HOBt' has been designed and synthesized from L-prolinol and hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) employing a simple reaction protocol. The catalyst was found to be effective in promoting the asymmetric Michael addition of cyclohexanone to nitroolefins using water as the reaction medium. The reaction products gamma-nitrocarbonyls are obtained in good yields and stereoselectivities. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.