We describe a general catalytic methodology for the enantioselective dearomative alkylation of pyridine derivatives with Grignard reagents, allowing direct access to nearly enantiopure chiral dihydro-4-pyridones with yields up to 98%. The methodology involves dearomatization of in situ-formed N-acylpyridinium salts, employing alkyl organomagnesium reagents as nucleophiles and a chiral copper (I) complex as the catalyst. Computational and mechanistic studies provide insights into the origin of the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the catalytic process.
© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.