The first Ir-catalyzed intramolecular asymmetric allylic dearomatization reaction of pyridines;
pyrazines;
quinolines;
and isoquinolines has been developed. Enabled by in situ formed chiral Ir-catalyst;
the dearomatized products were isolated in high levels of yield (up to 99% yield) and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). It is worth noting that the Me-THQphos ligand is much more efficient than other tested ligands for the dearomatization of pyrazines and certain quinolines. Mechanistic studies of the dearomatization reaction were carried out;
and the results suggest the feasibility of an alternative process which features the formation of a quinolinium as the key intermediate. The mechanistic findings render this reaction a yet unknown type in the chemistry of Reissert-type reactions. In addition;
the utility of this method was showcased by a large-scale reaction and formal synthesis of (+)-gephyrotoxin. © 2015 American Chemical Society;