Enantioselective Organocatalyzed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of Ketimines with Allenoates: Easy Access to a Tetrahydropyridine Framework with a Chiral Tetrasubstituted Stereogenic Carbon Center

Enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of tetrahydropyridines bearing a chiral tetrasubstituted carbon stereogenic center has been achieved. The spiro-type monoaryl phosphine catalyst, (R)-SITCP, was found to promote the formal [4+2] cycloaddition of saccharin-derived ketimines and -methyl allenoate to afford the corresponding six-membered N-heterocycles in high yields and excellent regioselectivities with up to 93% ee.