Direct Enantioselective α-C-H Conjugate Addition of Propargylamines to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones via Carbonyl Catalysis.

Direct asymmetric α-C-H conjugate addition of propargylamines to α,β-unsaturated ketones remains a great challenge due to the low α-amino C-H acidity of propargylamines and the nucleophilic interference of the NH group. Utilizing a new type of pyridoxals featuring a benzene-pyridine biaryl skeleton and a bulky amide side chain as carbonyl catalyst, we have accomplished direct asymmetric α-C-H conjugate addition of NH-unprotected propargylamines to α,β-unsaturated ketones. The adducts undergo subsequent intramolecular cyclization, delivering a wide range of chiral polysubstituted 1-pyrrolines in high yields (up to 92%) with excellent diastereo- and enatioelectivities (up to >20:1 dr and 99% ee). This work has demonstrated a straightforward approach to access pharmaceutically important chiral 1-pyrrolines, and it has also provided an impressive instance of direct asymmetric functionalization of inert C-H bonds enabled by biomimetic organocatalysts.