Phosphane-Catalyzed [3+3] Annulation of C,N-Cyclic Azomethine Imines with Ynones: A Practical Method for Tricyclic Dinitrogen-Fused Heterocycles

A phosphane-catalyzed [3+3] annulation of azomethine imines with ynones has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, the reaction proceeds smoothly to afford tricyclic dinitrogen-fused heterocyclic compounds in moderate to excellent yields with moderate to excellent stereoselectivies. Using a chiral phosphine as the catalyst, the reaction could work to give the cycloadduct in moderate yield with moderate enantioselectivity.