Asymmetric Cyclization of N-Sulfonyl Alkenyl Amides Catalyzed by Iridium/Chiral Diene Complexes

Iridium/chiral diene complexes efficiently catalyzed the asymmetric cyclization of N-sulfonyl alkenyl amides to give the corresponding 2-pyrrolidone derivatives with high enantioselectivity. A mechanistic study revealed that the reaction proceeds via nucleophilic attack of the amide on the alkene moiety.