A new thiourea catalyst is reported for the enantioselective cationic polycyclization of hydroxylactams. Both the yield and enantioselectivity of this transformation were found to vary strongly with the identity of a single aromatic residue on a common catalyst framework, with more expansive and polarizable arenes proving optimal. Evidence is presented for a mechanism in which stabilizing cation-pi interactions are a principal determinant of enantioselectivity.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Knowles et al. (2010) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: