Dinuclear Zinc-Catalyzed Asymmetric Desymmetrization of Cyclopentendiones: Access to Functional Cyclopentanediones Bearing an All-carbon Quaternary Stereocenter

The success in the identification of the two enantioisomeric surfaces of electrophiles by dinuclear zinc catalysts is disclosed. This protocol realizes a dinuclear zinc-cocatalyzed desymmetrization of cyclopentendiones using & alpha;-hydroxy aryl ketones as nucleophiles through Michael addition reaction. Under mild conditions, a series of functional cyclopentanediones bearing multiple stereogenic centers including an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter, were obtained in moderate to good yields with excellent stereoselectivities.