An asymmetric synthesis of α-aryl amino-β-nitro cyclohexanes has been achieved by means of a tandem aza-Michael addition-protonation reaction starting from 1-nitro cyclohexene and anilines. The transformation is proposed to proceed via a transient nitrile enolate which is subsequently stereo selectively protonated by an intramolecular transfer of the proton from nitrogen to the nitronate α-carbon.