Enantioselective 1,4-Addition Reaction Of Alpha,Beta-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids With Cycloalkanones Using Cooperative Chiral Amine-Boronic Acid Catalysts

An enantioselective 1,4-addition of alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids with cycloalkanones has been developed by using chiral amine-boronic acid cooperative catalysts. In the presence of a chiral amine and boronic acid, cycloalkanones and carboxylic acids are activated as chiral enamines and mixed anhydrides, respectively. The corresponding 1,4-adducts are obtained in high yield with high enantioselectivity. Furthermore, subsequent oxylactonization of the 1,4-adducts gives spirolactones with high diastereoselectivity.