Enantioselective synthesis of chiral 3-alkyl-3-nitro-4-chromanones via chiral thiourea-catalysed intramolecular Michael-type cyclization†
Huiqing Chen,Jie Tang,Ting Liu,Li-Fang Yu,Dong Xing,Fan Yang
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Pub Date : 08/12/2021 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/D1OB01296G
Abstract

Herein we report an enantioselective method for the rapid construction of chiral 3-nitro-4-chromanones via a chiral thiourea-catalyzed intramolecular Michael-type cyclization reaction. With this method, a series of 3,3-disubstituted-3-nitro-4-chromanones bearing contiguous C2/C3 stereocenters were obtained with high diastereoselectivities and good to excellent enantioselectivities. In vitro biological evaluations indicated that the chiral amide derivative of the product showed more potent antitumor activities than both the racemic and the corresponding enantiomers, showcasing the high influence of enantioselective methodology development toward medicinal studies.

Graphical abstract: Enantioselective synthesis of chiral 3-alkyl-3-nitro-4-chromanones via chiral thiourea-catalysed intramolecular Michael-type cyclization