Dinuclear Zinc‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Desymmetrization of Cyclopentendiones: Access to Functional Cyclopentanediones Bearing an All‐carbon Quaternary Stereocenter

Abstract

AbstractThe success in the identification of the two enantioisomeric surfaces of electrophiles by dinuclear zinc catalysts is disclosed. This protocol realizes a dinuclear zinc‐cocatalyzed desymmetrization of cyclopentendiones using α‐hydroxy aryl ketones as nucleophiles through Michael addition reaction. Under mild conditions, a series of functional cyclopentanediones bearing multiple stereogenic centers including an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter, were obtained in moderate to good yields with excellent stereoselectivities.