Chiral Brønsted Acids in the Catalytic Asymmetric Nazarov Cyclization—The First Enantioselective Organocatalytic Electrocyclic Reaction

Abstract

Low catalyst loadings, high enantioselectivities, mild conditions, and fast reaction times are the important features of the first enantioselective organocatalytic electrocyclic reaction: a Nazarov cyclization leading to the synthesis of substituted five-membered rings with a chiral Brønsted acid as a catalyst (see scheme). A further advantage of this method is the possible entry to all four diastereomers of the product.