Enantioselective Synthesis of Axially Chiral Anilides through Rhodium-Catalyzed 2+2+2 Cycloaddition of 1,6-Diynes with Trimethylsilylynamides

We have developed a rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective intermolecular 2+2+2 cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes with trimethylsilylynamides for the synthesis of axially chiral anilides. The axial chirality is constructed at the formation of benzene rings with high enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee). It should be noted that the present reaction employs the readily prepared trimethylsilylynamides starting from commercially available bis(trimethysilyl)acetylene and the trimethylsilyl group of the product anilides is expected to be utilized for further functionalization.