Catalytic Asymmetric Desymmetrization of Cyclic 1,3-Diketones Using Chiral Boro-phosphates

Herein, we report a chiral boro-phosphate-catalyzed reductive amination for the desymmetrization of 2,2-disubstituted 1,3-cyclopentadiones with pinacolborane as the reducing agent, delivering chiral β-amino ketones with an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in good yields (≤94%), high enantioselectivities (≤97% ee), and excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1 dr). This reaction has a broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance. The importance of the chiral products was also demonstrated through the preparation of multifunctional building blocks and heterocycles.