Helicoselective Assembly of 2-Pyranone-Helicenoids via NHC-Catalyzed [3+3] Annulation

Abstract

Helical frameworks play a vital role in supramolecular chemistry and material sciences. Nevertheless, the scarcity of robust stereoselective methodologies continues to impede their practical development. We herein report an NHC-catalyzed helicoselective [3+3] annulation approach for the assembly of chiral 2-pyranone fused helicenoids. This protocol enables the conversion of achiral starting materials into chiral 2-pyranone-helicenoids with good to high yields, and high to excellent enantioselectivities.