Abstract
A new enantio- and diastereoselective approach to pyrrolidine derivatives bearing
a benzofuran-3(2H)-one scaffold is reported. The approach, based on the [3+2] cycloaddition between
2-arylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-ones and imines derived from salicylaldehyde and diethyl aminomalonates, benefits
from broad substrate scope, high chemical and stereochemical efficiency, and operational
simplicity. Notably, simple and readily available quinine is employed as the catalyst
of the reaction. Target products bearing two biologically relevant heterocyclic moieties
and three adjacent stereogenic centers with one being quaternary have been obtained
in excellent yields and in a highly stereoselective manner.
Key words
asymmetric synthesis - organocatalysis - pyrrolidine - furan-3(2
H)-one - cycloaddition