Catalytic Enantioselective α,β,γ-Trioxygenation

Applying a catalytic enantioselective aldehyde α-oxygenation condition to an enal substrate led to the discovery of the first α,β,γ-trifunctionalization cascade of enals. Under optimal conditions, a tryptophan-derived imidazolidinone catalyst in fluorinated aromatic solvents provided α,β,γ-trioxyaldehydes in up to 51% isolated yield (average of 80% yield per oxygenation step) and 85:15 er. Substitution at the δ position was tolerated, but not at the α, β, or γ positions. The reaction proceeded through initial TEMPO incorporation at the γ position, and rapid racemization of this intermediate, reversible conjugate addition of water, followed by TEMPO incorporation at the α position to set all three stereocenters with double dynamic kinetic resolution.