Highly enantioselective [3+2] coupling of cyclic enamides with quinone monoimines promoted by a chiral phosphoric acid

Enantioselective [3+2] coupling of cyclic enamides with quinone monoimines was realised using a chiral phosphoric acid as a catalyst. This transformation allowed for the synthesis of highly enantioenriched polycyclic 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans (up to 99.9% ee). The absolute configuration of one product was determined by an X-ray crystal structural analysis. We also found a possible mechanism for this reaction.