Generation of quaternary stereocenters by asymmetric Michael reactions: Enamine regiochemistry as configuration switch

Abstract

Regioselective enamine formation from cyclic β-diketones 1 is obtained by the appropriate choice of activating agent: Brønsted acid catalyzed condensation gives endocyclic enamines 3 as the thermodynamically favored products. Activation with Lewis acid BF3·OEt2 affords betaines 8 as intermediate products, which can be reacted with L-valine diethylamide (2) to preferentially furnish exocyclic enamines 4 as kinetic products. Derivatives with quaternary stereocenters were accessible from both isomeric enamines by using asymmetric, copper(II)-catalyzed Michael reactions at ambient temperature. Both regioisomers afford the triketones 7 with the same constitution but bearing the opposite absolute configuration at the quaternary stereocenter. Thus, both enantiomers of the product are prepared by using the same chiral auxiliary derived from L-valine. © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.