Asymmetric Michael addition between kojic acid derivatives and unsaturated ketoesters promoted by C2-symmetric organocatalysts

Org Biomol Chem. 2018 Dec 12;16(48):9314-9318. doi: 10.1039/c8ob02523a.

Abstract

An efficient sterically hindered C2-symmetric bifunctional tertiary amine-squaramide organocatalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition/hemiketalization domino reaction of kojic acid derivatives with β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters has been designed. Pharmacology-relevant functionalized 2,3,4,8-tetrahydropyrano[3,2-b]pyran derivatives were produced over the catalyst in as low as 1 mol% with up to 99% yield and 99% ee. The procedure is at least 30-fold scalable and the catalyst is readily reusable in the catalytic reaction via acid-base extraction. Acylation of the products with (S)- or rac-ibuprofen and with undec-10-enoic acid afforded the corresponding chiral esters containing two privileged pharmacophoric motifs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't