1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Azomethine Ylides with a Cellulose-Derived Chiral Enone. A Novel Route for Organocatalysts Development

Cellulose-derived chiral pyrrolidines were synthesized in excellent yields, regioselectivities, and stereoselectivities via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between levoglucosenone and azomethine ylides. An unprecedented isomerization event led to a new family of pyrrolidines with an unusual relative stereochemistry. Preliminary results showed that these compounds are promising organocatalysts for iminium ion-based asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions.