Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed rearrangement of enol ε-lactones†
Zhi-Qin Liang,Kun-Quan Chen,Lei Dai
Organic Chemistry Frontiers Pub Date : 12/22/2022 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/D2QO01721K
Abstract

β-Lactones are common substructures in bioactive molecules. Herein, we developed an enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed rearrangement of enol ε-lactones for the construction of bicyclic β-lactones. The reaction works well for both exo- and endo-enol ε-lactones, giving the corresponding bicyclic β-lactones with two or three contiguous stereocenters, respectively. The reaction features readily available starting materials, 100% atom economy, mild conditions, high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Graphical abstract: Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed rearrangement of enol ε-lactones