The enantioselective synthesis of a bicyclo[4.3.0]nonene derivative bearing a quaternary
carbon stereocenter is achieved by employing a desymmetrization strategy involving
an intramolecular addition. The intramolecular nucleophilic addition of a highly reactive
carbanion generated from an alkenyl iodide in the presence of a chiral ligand occurs
with discrimination of two keto carbonyl groups to give the corresponding bicyclic
compound in 81% yield and 39% ee. Asymmetric synthesis via an intramolecular desymmetrization
strategy using a chiral ligand–carbanion complex represents a complementary approach
to using chiral organocatalysts or chiral ligand–transition-metal complexes.
Key words
desymmetrization - asymmetric synthesis - alkenyl lithium - quaternary carbon stereocenter
- bicyclo[4.3.0]nonene