Thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of α-substituted cyanoacetates to maleimides

摘要

Chiral isosteviol-derived tertiary amine-thiourea was proven to be effective in catalyzing the asymmetric conjugate addition between α-substituted cyanoacetate and maleimides. Diverse succinimides bearing vicinal quaternary-tertiary stereocenters were obtained in excellent yields, excellent diastereoselectivities, and with good to high enantioselectivities. This catalytic system can be used efficiently in large-scale reactions with the yields and stereoselectivities being maintained at the same level.