Catalytic Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Norbornenoquinones via C(sp2)-H Alkylation

Org Lett. 2016 Dec 2;18(23):6160-6163. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b03168. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Abstract

The enantioselective Diels-Alder (DA) reaction with monosubstituted p-benzoquinones is an unmet challenge. A new approach for the enantioselective synthesis of monosubstituted quinone-DA adducts is presented based on C(sp2)-H alkylative desymmetrization of meso-DA adducts. Catalyzed by a tertiary amino-thiourea derivative, this reaction utilizes nitroalkanes as the alkylating agents and generates densely functionalized products bearing at least four contiguous stereogenic centers remote from the reaction site with excellent enantioselectivities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't