Phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of α-substituted allenoates with ester-activated α,β-unsaturated imines: a novel variation of the Lu [3+2] cycloaddition reaction

A phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] annulation reaction of α-substituted allenoates with ester-activated α,β-unsaturated imines is reported, which provides new and efficient access to highly functionalized cyclopentenes bearing one all-carbon quaternary center. This reaction also expands the scope of the famous Lu [3+2] cycloaddition reaction.