Iron-catalyzed asymmetric aerobic oxidative dearomatizing spirocyclization of methylenebis(arenol)s

Abstract

Iron-catalyzed asymmetric oxidative dearomatization of methylenebis(arenol)s, readily prepared from salicyl alcohol and naphthol derivatives under microwave irradiation, was developed using dioxygen in air as an oxidant. Various enantioenriched spirocyclic compounds were obtained with up to 89% chemical yield and 87% ee.