Lewis Acid-Promoted Enantioselective Dearomative Spirocyclizations of Allenes

J Org Chem. 2018 Oct 5;83(19):12207-12212. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.8b01565. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Abstract

A chiral oxazaborolidine combined with SnCl4 has been found to promote the dearomative spirocyclization of electron-rich benzyl allenyl ketones. The reaction outcome is sensitive to the nature of activating acid, which was rationalized using hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) theory. The spirocyclic product was obtained with up to 72% ee, which is the best result reported to date for these substrates. The formation of cross-conjugated or conjugated products is readily controlled by changing the oxygen-protecting groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Cyclization
  • Ketones / chemistry
  • Lewis Acids / chemistry*
  • Spiro Compounds / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Ketones
  • Lewis Acids
  • Spiro Compounds