Oxyanion Steering and CH−π Interactions as Key Elements in an N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed [4 + 2] Cycloaddition
作者:Scott E. Allen、Jessada Mahatthananchai、Jeffrey W. Bode、Marisa C. Kozlowski
DOI:10.1021/ja302761d
日期:2012.7.25
The N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition has been shown to give gamma,delta-unsaturated delta-lactones in excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity. However, preliminary computational studies of the geometry of the intermediate enolate rendered ambiguous both the origins of selectivity and the reaction pathway. Here, we show that a concerted, but highly asynchronous, Diels-Alder reaction occurs rather than the stepwise Michael-type or Claisen-type pathways. In addition, two crucial interactions are identified that enable high selectivity an oxyanion-steering mechanism and a CH-pi interaction. The calculations accurately predict the enantioselectivity of a number of N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts in the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction.