The base-catalysed Tamura cycloaddition reaction: calculation, mechanism, isolation of intermediates and asymmetric catalysis?

Chemical Communications Pub Date: 2019-09-02 DOI: 10.1039/C9CC05064G

Abstract

A combined experimental and computational investigation has revealed that the base-catalysed Tamura cycloaddition between homophthalic anhydride and activated alkenes/alkynes – a reaction previously thought of as a Diels–Alder type process – proceeds via a stepwise mechanism involving conjugate addition and ring closure; which allowed the first catalytic asymmetric α-substitution reactions to be demonstrated with up to >99% ee.

Graphical abstract: The base-catalysed Tamura cycloaddition reaction: calculation, mechanism, isolation of intermediates and asymmetric catalysis
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