Enantioselective Synthesis of Quaternary Δ - and Δ -Dehydroprolines Based on a Two-Step Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition of α-Aryl and α-Alkyl Isocyano(thio)acetates with Vinyl Ketones.

A divergent synthesis of optically active quaternary Δ - and Δ -dehydro prolines is developed based on the first catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of α-substituted isocyano(thio)acetates to vinyl ketones that is general for both α-aryl and α-alkyl isocyano(thio)acetates. The new tetrasubstituted C-N stereocenter is formed without the need of any metal salt due to a bifunctional tertiary amine/squaramide catalyst, featuring a bulky polyaryl sidearm and an unusually short squaramide diamide H⋅⋅⋅H interatomic distance in the solid state.

Catalytic enantioselective quick route to aldol-tethered 1,6- and 1,7-enynes from ω-unsaturated aldehydes.

An effective asymmetric route to functionalized 1,6- and 1,7-enynes has been developed based on a direct cross-aldol reaction between ω-unsaturated aldehydes and propargylic aldehydes (α,β-ynals) promoted by combined α,α-dialkylprolinol ether/Brønsted acid catalysis. This synergistic activation strategy is key to accessing the corresponding aldol adducts with high stereoselectivity, both enantio- and diastereoselectivity. The aldol reaction also proceeds well with propargylic ketones (α,β-ynones) thus enabling a stereocontrolled access to the corresponding tertiary alcohols.