Catalytic Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction between Aurones and Isocyanoacetates: Access to Spiropyrrolines via Silver Catalysis.

The first enantioselective formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of aurone analogues with isocyanoacetates was developed via chiral Ag-complex catalysis. A variety of optically enriched spiro-1-pyrrolines were obtained in excellent yields, diastero- and enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, >20:1 dr, >99% ee). This synthetic approach represents an extremely simple, efficient, and atom-economical method for spiro-1-pyrrolines synthesis.