Catalytic, enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of y-butyrolactones incorporating quaternary stereocentres

摘要

A new, highly enantio- and diastereoselective catalytic asymmetric formal cycloaddition of aryl succinic anhydrides and aldehydes which generates paraconic acid (y-butyrolactone) derivatives is reported. It has been known for over 140 years that enolisable anhydrides can participate in aldol-like coupling chemistry with aldehyde electrophiles to furnish α,β-unsaturated acid products in the presence of carboxylate bases.