Intramolecular Cycloaddition Azomethine Ylides and α‐(Trifluoromethyl)styrenes as Dipolarophiles

Abstract

The synthesis of polycyclic fluorinated tertiary amines has been accomplished by means of an intramolecular azomethine ylide cycloaddition with fluorinated dipolarophiles. Thus, tri‐ and tetracyclic fused pyrrolidines bearing a quaternary trifluoromethyl group were obtained in moderated yields in a stereoselective manner. This is one of the few examples reported in the literature of intramolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with fluorinated dipolarophiles. Initial attempts of the asymmetric version of the process have been performed, but low levels of diastereoselectivity were achieved.