Catalytic Asymmetric Intramolecular Darzens Reaction of 2-Halomalonate Derivatives

Abstract

A catalytic asymmetric intramolecular Darzens reaction of 2-halomalonate derivatives was developed for the enantioselective preparation of chiral building blocks for epoxide-containing natural products. Among the screened catalysts, some phase-transfer catalysts gave the desired epoxide in moderate enantioselectivity, albeit in low yield. The epoxide product would be useful as versatile chiral building blocks for natural product synthesis.