Primary amine-catalyzed direct conversion of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes into 3-pyrrolines with a quaternary stereocenter is reported. The one-pot enantioselective sequence is based on a α-amination, an aza-Michael addition of hydrazine, an aldol condensation dehydratation and proceeds with good yields and excellent levels of enantioselectivity. Synthetically attractive applications including the formation of aziridinopyrrolidine or epoxypyrrolidine derivatives with good yields and selectivities are also described.
Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.