Asymmetric synthesis of chiral imidazolidines by merging copper and visible light-induced photoredox catalysis

Abstract

Chiral imidazolidine shows its potential in multiple fields. However, direct catalytic asymmetric construction of chiral imidazolidines is still limited. Herein, we report an effective chiral bisoxazoline copper-induced and photoredox-catalyzed strategy for the synthesis of chiral imidazolidines based on the decarboxylative radical coupling/cyclization reaction of simple glycine derivatives, aldehydes and imines. Various imidazolidines were conditionally accessed with high yields (up to 96%) and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). Furthermore, this strategy could also be applied in the synthesis of chiral vicinal diamines by varying the reaction conditions.