Organocatalytic asymmetric multi-component [C+NC+CC] synthesis of highly functionalized pyrrolidine derivatives

The highly cherno- and enantioselective organocatalytic [C+NC+CC] coupling process between aldehydes, dialkyl 2aminornalonates and a,p-unsaturated aldehydes is presented. The reaction gives access to highly functionalized pyrrolidine derivatives in good yields with > 10:1 dr and 90-98% ee. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.