Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Cycloaddition of N-Containing Allylic Carbonates with Isocyanates.

An efficient method for the enantioselective synthesis of cyclic ureas has been developed through Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic cycloaddition of readily accessible nitrogen-containing allylic carbonates with isocyanates. By using a palladium complex in situ generated from Pd2(dba)3·CHCl3 and phosphoramidite L1 or L3 as a ligand under mild reaction conditions, the process afforded imidazolidinones and tetrahydropyrimidinones with high yields and high levels of enantioselectivities.