Organocatalytic Asymmetric Direct CH Functionalization of Ethers: A Highly Efficient Approach to Chiral Spiroethers

Abstract

Spiro compounds: An organocatalytic asymmetric method for the CH functionalization of the α position of racemic cyclic ethers has been developed. The transformation, mediated by catalytic amounts of an imidazolidinone and strong acid, involves a tandem 1,5-hydride transfer/cyclization and provides access to a structurally diverse series of chiral spiroethers with high levels of enantioselectivity (see scheme). Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.