Catalytic Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Cyclobutane-1,3-diones by Carbonyl-Amine Condensation

Org Lett. 2021 Feb 5;23(3):1118-1122. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c00067. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Abstract

A chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed enantioselective condensation of 2,2-disubstituted cyclobutane-1,3-diones with a primary amine is described. This reaction offered a mild and efficient protocol for constructing quaternary carbon-containing cyclobutanes in good to high yields and enantioselectivities. This reaction is the first catalytic desymmetrizing carbonyl-amine condensation reaction and also represents the first catalytic desymmetrizing reaction of prochiral cyclobutane-1,3-dione.