Atroposelective Arene Formation by Carbene-Catalyzed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition.

Atroposelective arene formation is an efficient method to build axially chiral molecules with multi-substituted arenes. Reported here is an organocatalyzed atroposelective arene formation reaction by an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed formal [4+2] cycloaddition of conjugated dienals and α-aryl ketones. This study expands the synthetic potential of NHC organocatalysis and provides a competitive pathway for the synthesis of axially chiral ligands, catalysts, and other functional molecules.