N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed enantioselective dearomatizing annulation of benzoxazoles with enals

Abstract

The first N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed enantioselective dearomatizing annulation of benzoxazoles with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes has been achieved. The reaction was found to be compatible with a wide range of benzoxazoles and the corresponding dearomatized fused heterocycles were obtained in moderate to good yields and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities.