Catalytic Enantioselective Entry to Triflones Featuring a Quaternary Stereocenter

A highly enantioselective one-pot synthesis of functionalized triflones, bearing a quaternary stereocenter, has been developed, exploiting the Michael reaction of alpha-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) aryl acetic acid esters with N-acryloyl-1H-pyrazole catalyzed by commercially available Takemoto's catalyst, followed by nucleophilic acyl substitution with alcohols. Preliminary investigations highlighted the attractive potential of the triflinate anion as the leaving group for stereocontrolled postfunctionalizations.

Automated summary

An enantioselective synthesis method for functionalized triflones with a quaternary stereocenter has been developed, utilizing the Michael reaction and nucleophilic acyl substitution. The study highlights the potential of the triflinate anion as a leaving group for stereocontrolled postfunctionalizations.