Isothiourea-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of trans-3,4-Dihydrothiopyranones: Harnessing Thiochalcones as Original Michael Acceptors

Org Lett. 2023 Jul 21;25(28):5395-5399. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c02011. Epub 2023 Jul 10.

Abstract

A highly enantioselective formal (4 + 2)-cycloaddition between carboxylic acids and thiochalcones promoted by (+)-HBTM-2.1 isothiourea organocatalyst has been reported. The methodology relied on the generation of C1-ammonium enolate intermediates and proceeded through a nucleophilic 1,4-addition-thiolactonization cascade. It enabled the stereocontrolled preparation of sulfur-containing δ-thiolactones in good yields, moderate diastereoselectivity, and excellent enantiomeric excess (up to 99%). This annulation benefited from the peculiar reactivity of uncommon electron-rich thiochalcones used as Michael acceptors.