Rh(II)/Bronsted Acid Catalyzed General and Highly Diastereo- and Enantioselective Propargylation of in Situ Generated Oxonium Ylides and C-Alkynyl N-Boc N,O-Acetals: Synthesis of Polyfunctional Propargylamines

The first metal/organo cooperatively catalyzed asymmetric reaction of C-alkynyl N-Boc-protected N,O-acetals with in situ generated oxonium ylides has been developed. This new type of propargylation allows for the efficient synthesis of structurally diverse unreported chiral propargylamines bearing oxa-quaternary stereo centers. The reaction features unprecedented substrate scope and high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Theoretical studies suggest a novel cooperative catalysis model and the unique transfer of (ROH)-O-2.