Confined Acid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Carbonyl-Ene Cyclization

A highly enantioselective Bronsted acid catalyzed intramolecular carbonyl-ene reaction of olefinic aldehydes has been developed. Using a confined imidodiphosphate catalyst, the reaction delivers diverse trans-3,4-disubstituted carbo- and heterocyclic five-membered rings in high yields and with good to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. ESI-MS, NMR, and DFT mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds via a stepwise pathway involving a novel covalent intermediate.