Metal catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides: structural diversity at the dipole partner

Abstract

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides represents a versatile approach for synthesizing pyrrolidines, valuable structural motifs in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. However, most studies to date have relied predominantly on α-iminoesters as ylide precursors, thereby limiting the broader synthetic applications of this strategy. This feature article highlights alternative azomethine ylide precursors, beyond conventional α-iminoesters, which have facilitated the preparation of pyrrolidines with new subtitution patterns.