Acylammonium salts as dienophiles in diels-alder/lactonization organocascades

Abstract

α,Î-Unsaturated acylammonium salts, generated in situ from commodity acid chlorides and a chiral isothiourea organocatalyst, comprise a new and versatile family of chiral dienophiles for the venerable Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition. Their reactivity is unveiled through a highly diastereo- and enantioselective Diels-Alder/lactonization organocascade that generates cis- and trans-fused bicyclic Î- and Î́-lactones bearing up to four contiguous stereocenters. Moreover, the first examples of DA-initiated, stereodivergent organocascades are described delivering complex scaffolds found in bioactive compounds. The origins of stereoselectivity are rationalized through computational studies. In addition, the utility of this methodology is demonstrated through a concise approach to the core structure of glaciolide and formal syntheses of fraxinellone, trisporic acids, and trisporols. © 2014 American Chemical Society.