A series of chiral bifunctional phosphinothioureas derived from l-amino acids have been developed to promote the enantioselectiveintramolecularMorita–Baylis–Hillmanreaction. The process afforded the cyclic hydroxyl enones with up to 84% ee and good yields under mild conditions.
Chiral cyclohexane-based phosphinothioureas were found to be efficient organocatalysts for the enantioselective intramolecular Morita–Baylis–Hillmanreaction of ω-formyl-enone. Among the solvents screened, t-BuOH was the best one which provided good yield and enantioselectivity. Moreover in the presence of 3 mol % of phosphinothiourea 2b, the desired products were obtained in good-to-excellent yields
AbstractThe saccharide‐based chiral bifunctional thiourea‐phosphines were developed as chiral organocatalysts for the intramolecular Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman reaction of ω‐formyl‐enones. With only 2 mol% of thiourea‐phosphine catalyst 3c, chiral functionalized cyclohexenes were achieved under mild reaction conditions with excellent yields and enantioselectivities.