Synthesis of chiral pyridine-oxazolines via a catalytic asymmetric Heine reaction of meso-N-(2-picolinoyl)-aziridines

Abstract

An asymmetric Heine reaction of (meso)-N-(2-picolinoyl)-aziridines catalyzed by a chiral ytterbium(III)–N,N′-dioxide complex was established. A novel library of pyridine-oxazolines was obtained with decent yields and enantioselectivities, which show potential as chiral ligands and Lewis base catalysts. Besides, based on the control experiments, a possible work mode was proposed.