Silver(I)-Ferrophox Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Cyclopentenedione: Synthesis of Highly Substituted Bicyclic Pyrrolidines

A highly enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral cydopentene-1,3-dione via [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylide using a silver(I) ferrophox complex has been demonstrated. The method has been utilized in the synthesis of highly functionalized enantioenriched 5,5-fused bicyclic pyrrolidine derivatives under mild reaction conditions.