Alkenyl Arenes as Dipolarophiles in Catalytic Asymmetric 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Azomethine Ylides

The use of alkenyl arenes as dipolarophiles in the catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides is reported. Under appropriate reaction conditions with a Cu-I or Ag-I catalyst either the exo or the endo adduct was obtained with high stereoselectivity. This process provides efficient access to highly enantiomerically enriched 4-aryl proline derivatives. The observed results are compatible with the blockage of one prochiral face of the 1,3-dipole, as well as with the efficient transmission of electrophilicity towards the terminal carbon atom of the dipolarophile. This polarization results in a change from a concerted to a stepwise mechanism.