Synthesis of heterocycles based on azomethine ylides from α-amino acids (or amines) and carbonyl compounds

This review focuses on new directions in (3 + 2) cycloaddition of azomethine ylides to alkenes, resulting in the formation of fused or spiro-fused pyrrolidine derivatives with multiple chiral centers under high regio- and stereocontrol. Currently, strategies using azomethine ylides based on imino esters or α-amino acids with a variety of cyclic and acyclic carbonyl compounds dominate. Enantioselective (3 + 2) cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides obtained from imino esters, catalyzed by chiral Cu(I,II) and Ag(I) complexes, are widely used. Reactions using α-amino acids proceed, in most cases, without the use of catalysts, with high yields and high stereoselectivity. Electrophilic alkenes of various structures, (hetero)aromatic olefins and benzofulvenes, cyclic and acyclic unsaturated substrates, and fullerenes are useful dipolarophiles. This reaction method allows for the single-step creation of a wide variety of complex polyheterocyclic systems that may be useful for practical applications.