Enamine Acylation Enabled Desymmetrization of Malonic Esters

Asymmetric enamine alkylation represents a powerful tool for stereoselective C-C bond formation; in contrast, the development of enantioselective enamine acylation remains elusive. Here, we report that a chiral phosphoric acid can render an in-situ-formed enamine to undergo a stereoselective intramolecular α-carbon acylation, providing an alternative approach for the synthesis of useful pyrrolinones and indolinones bearing tetrasubstituted stereocenters. Utilizing an effective integration of the desymmetrization strategy and bifunctional organocatalysis, the first example of enantioselective enamine acylation is achieved by employing readily available aminomalonic esters and cyclic ketones. Instead of reactive and moisture-sensitive acyl chlorides, common esters with low electrophilicity were successfully used as efficient acylating reagents via hydrogen bonding interactions. The utility is demonstrated in the concise and enantioselective synthesis of (+)-LipidGreen I and II. Experimental studies and DFT calculations establish the reaction pathway and the origin of stereocontrol.