Asymmetric Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Isocyanoesters to 2‐Oxobutenoate Esters by a Multifunctional Chiral Silver Catalyst

Silver-standard selectivity! The first highly enantioselective formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of isocyanoesters with 2-oxobutenoate esters catalyzed by a chiral silver complex proceeded readily under the catalysis of a multifunctional chiral silver complex in high yields and enantiometric excess (ee) values of up to 98 % (see scheme).