Enantioselective organocatalysis using SOMO activation

Abstract

Enamines, formed from the corresponding carbonyl compounds and appropriate chiral amine catalysts, can be oxidized to radical cation species. These radical cations can be intercepted by a range of SOMO-philic reagents, such as alkenes, arenes and some heteroatom based reagents. This methodology affords diversely substituted chiral carbonyl compounds. Organo-SOMO activation expanded the scope of enamine/iminium based organocatalytic transformations and it enables new reaction partners to be combined efficiently.