Efficient Synthesis of Chiral Trisubstituted 1,2‐Allenyl Ketones by Catalytic Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Malonic Esters to Enynes

Abstract

An N,N'-dioxide/scandium(III) complex catalyzed, highly efficient conjugate addition of malonic esters to enynes is described. A range of trisubstituted 1,2-allenyl ketones were obtained in high yields (up to 99 %) with good d.r. (up to 95/5) and excellent ee values (97 %-99 %). Moreover, the products could be easily transformed into chiral furan and 5-hydroxypyrazoline derivatives, both of which are important skeletons of many biologically active compounds and pharmacologicals.