A N,N′-dioxide/Mg(OTf)2 complex catalyzed enantioselective α-addition of isocyanides to alkylidene malonates

A highly efficient catalytic asymmetric alpha-addition of isocyanides to alkylidene malonates was accomplished. The process was based on the utilization of a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Mg-II catalyst, delivering a variety of 2-alkyl-5-aminooxazoles in up to 99% yield and 96% ee under mild reaction conditions. Besides, a chiral imide and dipeptide could be easily obtained by ring-opening of the oxazole product, both of which are important structural motifs for many biologically active compounds. Based on the experimental investigations and previous work, a possible transition state model was proposed.