Phosphahelicenes in Asymmetric Organocatalysis: [3+2] Cyclizations of γ‐Substituted Allenes and Electron‐Poor Olefins

Abstract

The first use of phosphahelicene in enantioselective organocatalysis is reported. New chiral phosphahelicenes have been prepared and enable highly enantioselective [3+2] cyclization reactions between arylidene- or alkylidenemalononitriles and γ-substituted allenoates or cyanoallenes. These reactions afford cyclopentene derivatives in both high yields and diastereoselectivities, with enantiomeric excesses of up to 97 %.