Catalytic asymmetric Tamura cycloaddition of homophthalic anhydrides with 2-arylidene-1,3-diones

Abstract

An organocatalytic enantioselective Tamura cycloaddition between homophthalic anhydrides and 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones has been developed. With 2 mol% of commercially available (DHQD)₂PYR, a wide range of enantioenriched spiro-1,3-indanedione derivatives were obtained in good-to-excellent yields (68–98%), excellent diastereoselectivities (99 : 1 dr) and moderate-to-excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee).