Intermolecular Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Cooperatively Catalyzed by an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene and a Lewis Acid

Abstract

Abstract The ubiquitous structure of δ‐lactones makes the development of new methods for their enantioselective and stereoselective synthesis an important ongoing challenge. The intermolecular dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of β‐halo‐α‐ketoesters cooperatively catalyzed by an N‐heterocyclic carbene and a Lewis acid generates two contiguous stereocenters with remarkable diastereoselectivity through an oxidation/lactonization sequence.