Bis(amino)cyclopropenylidenes as organocatalysts for acyl anion and extended umpolung reactions

Abstract

Back to BACs: In the pursuit of novel carbene organocatalysts, bis(amino)cyclopropenylidenes (BACs) were explored as alternatives to N-heterocyclic carbenes. They were effective in catalyzing the Stetter reaction, and displayed unique advantages over the commonly used thiazolylidenes and triazolylidenes. They also mediated extended umpolung reactions of enals. In addition, chiral analogues can be accessed readily for applications in enantioselective catalysis. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.