Asymmetric synthesis of atropisomeric pyrazole via an enantioselective reaction of azonaphthalene with pyrazolone

Abstract

The first catalytic asymmetric reaction of azonaphthalene with pyrazolone has been established. A wide range of axially chiral pyrazole derivatives have been achieved in good yields (68–99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (83–98% ee) by utilizing chiral phosphoric acid as a catalyst. This strategy provides an efficient and facile approach for the construction of axially chiral pyrazole derivatives. Theoretical calculations were carried out to elucidate the origins of enantioselectivity.