Enantioselective Synthesis of Tricyclic β-Lactones by NHC-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Cyclic 1,3-Diketones

Org Lett. 2020 Jul 17;22(14):5407-5411. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c01756. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Abstract

The NHC-catalyzed desymmetrization of cyclic-1,3-diketones allowing the enantioselective construction of tricyclic β-lactones with five contiguous stereocenters, including two quaternary stereocenters, has been developed. The mild and operationally simple addition of α-bromoenals to cyclopentane-1,3-diketone derivatives proceeds via the initial formation of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylazolium intermediates and culminates in a cascade reaction, following the Michael-aldol-lactonization pathway to deliver the β-lactone derivatives in moderate to good yields and excellent selectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't