DBU-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Cyclohexadienones: Access to Vicinal Diamine-Containing Heterocycles.

A DBU-catalyzed desymmetrization strategy between cyclohexadienones and isocyanates was discovered, affording a series of vicinal diamine-containing heterocycle derivatives in moderate to good yields and excellent diastereoselectivity under mild conditions. Furthermore, this reaction could be performed on a 10 g scale using 1.0 mol % of catalyst loading.