Enantioselective Prins cyclization: BINOL-derived phosphoric acid and CuCl synergistic catalysis

Abstract

The first catalytic enantioselective Prins cyclization is disclosed. The reaction is catalyzed by the combination of a chiral BINOL-derived bis-phosphoric acid and CuCl. The process consists of a tandem Prins/Friedel–Crafts cyclization that affords the hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromenes products with three new contiguous stereogenic centers in high yields, and good enantio- and excellent diastereoselectivities.