The title compound, characterized by X-ray crystallography, was accessed in 4 steps with 92 % ee. and 25 yield from an O-protected (R)-BINOL precursor. This revised synthetic route relied on a chlorosulfonylation reaction, as shortcut to previously developed sequence requiring the use of toxic SO2 gas bromine. strongly electron-impoverished (R)-6,6′-Tf2-BINOL proved effective ligand metal-catal...

The investigation of a Lewis base catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates derived from isatins afforded an electrophilic pathway to access multifunctional oxindoles bearing a C3-quaternary stereocenter, provided with good to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee) and in high yields (up to 97%).

A convenient one-pot preparation of 2-methyl-3-(phenylthiomethyl)quinolines from Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts via conjugate addition of thiols followed by reductive cyclization with Fe/AcOH was developed. The 2-methyl-3-(phenylthiomethyl)quinolines were transformed into 2-methyl-3-(phenylsulfonylmethyl)quinolines via m-CPBA-mediated oxidation.

The first organocatalytic asymmetric assembly of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates of isatins and α-angelica lactone has been studied, affording multifunctional products containing two valuable pharmacophores and vicinal quaternary chiral centers in high stereoselectivity (up to 92% ee, dr >95:5).