Organocatalytic Asymmetric Wittig Reactions: Generation of Enantioenriched Axially Chiral Olefins Breaking a Symmetry Plane

Abstract

The first catalytic asymmetric Wittig reaction is presented. Hydrogen-bond donors catalyze the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction between stabilized phosphorus ylides and 4-substituted cyclohexanones, breaking their symmetry plane and furnishing axially chiral olefins with moderate stereoselectivities.