Phosphine-Catalyzed Domino Reaction: Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of trans-2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans from Salicyl N-Thiophosphinyl Imines and Allylic Carbonates

A novel phosphine-catalyzed domino reaction of salicyl N-thiophosphinyl imines and allylic carbonates was developed. The allylic carbonate, in this reaction, serves as a new kind of 1,1-dipolar synthon. This method offered a powerful approach to the construction of a highly substituted trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran skeleton with high diastereoselectivity.