Diastereoselective Desymmetrization of p-Quinamines through Regioselective Ring Opening of Epoxides and Aziridines.

A highly diastereoselective desymmetrization of p-quinamines via regioselective ring opening of epoxides and aziridines under mild conditions has been developed. A chairlike six-membered transition state with minimized 1,3-diaxial interactions explains the relative stereoselectivity of the cyclization reaction. This transition-metal free [3 + 3] annulation reaction provides rapid access to fused bicyclic morpholines and piperazines with a tetrasubstituted carbon center in high yields. In addition, it also allows the synthesis of enantioenriched products by using easily accessible chiral nonracemic epoxides and aziridines.