Highly enantioselective intermolecular stetter reaction of simple acrylates: Synthesis of α-chiral γ-Ketoesters

摘要

Simple Stetter: A novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) was designed by combining an electron-rich 2,6-dimethoxy substituent and an underestimated yet promising chiral motif. With this NHC in hand, a highly enantioselective intermolecular Stetter reaction of simple acrylates was developed, yielding versatile α-chiral γ-ketoesters. This represents the first catalytic asymmetric route towards these valuable compounds (see scheme).