Copper-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic substitution of anthrones and propargylic esters

Anthrones are key structural motifs in many natural products, bioactive compounds and pharmaceutical chemicals. Earth-abundant-metal-catalyzed asymmetric functionalization of anthrones has not proved to be viable. Herein, we disclosed a highly enantioselective propargylic substitution of anthrones with propargylic esters using copper salts with chiral N, N, P-ligand. This strategy is amenable to a broad range of substrates, uses readily available starting materials, provides excellent yields with remarkable enantioselectivity under mild conditions, and enables attractive products diversification routes.