Domino asymmetric conjugate addition-conjugate addition

Org Lett. 2014 Apr 4;16(7):2006-9. doi: 10.1021/ol5005752. Epub 2014 Mar 24.

Abstract

Enantioenriched Al-, Mg-, and Zn-enolates undergo electrophilic trapping by nitroolefins and vinylsulfones to afford 1,4-diketones and 2-(bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl)ketones in good yield and excellent diastereoselectivity. A one-pot preparation of indenes and enantiopure syntheses of tetrahydrobenzofurans, tetrahydrobenzopyrroles, and azulenes are disclosed. A site-selective two-step sequence of three conjugate additions is also demonstrated.