Access to Aryl-Naphthaquinone Atropisomers by Phosphine-Catalyzed Atroposelective (4+2) Annulations of δ-Acetoxy Allenoates with 2-Hydroxyquinone Derivatives

Abstract

Although asymmetric phosphine catalysis is a powerful tool for the construction of various chiral carbon centers, its synthetic potential toward an enantioenriched atropisomer has not been explored yet. Reported herein is a phosphine-catalyzed atroposelective (4+2) annulation of δ-acetoxy allenoates and 2-hydroxyquinone derivatives. The reaction provides expedient access to aryl-naphthaquinone atropisomers by the de novo construction of a benzene ring. The two functionalities of the catalyst, a tertiary phosphine (Lewis base) and a tertiary amine (Brønsted base), cooperatively enable this process with high regio- and enantioselectivities.

Keywords: allenes; annulations; atropisomer; organocatalysis; synthetic methods.