Enantioselective Synthesis of Alkylthioetherpyrrolidine Derivatives via [3+2] Cycloaddition of α-Thioacrylates with Isocyanoacetates.

An unprecedented catalytic asymmetric method for the [3+2] cycloaddition of isocyanoacetates with α-thioacrylates/α-phthalimidoacrylates has been developed with excellent enantioselectivities. The generated pyrrolines could be readily further reduced to an array of structurally various and biologically important pyrrolidine derivatives. α-Tosyloxyacrylate with isocyanoacetates as well as tosylmethylisocyanide could be used to produce 2,4-disubstituted pyrroles.