Cinchona Alkaloid Squaramide-Catalyzed Asymmetric Ugi-Type Reaction of Isocyanoacetates with C,N-Cyclic Azomethine Imines: Access to Chiral Oxazole-Substituted Tetrahydroisoquinolines.

We reported herein an unexpected cinchona alkaloid-derived squaramide-catalyzed asymmetric two-component Ugi-type reaction of α-aryl-substituted isocyanoacetates with C,N-cyclic azomethine imines, which provides concise access to optically active C1-oxazole-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines in good yields (86-93%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 98% enantiomeric excess) under mild conditions.