Asymmetric Catalysis of Chiral Bifunctional Selenides and Selenonium Salts Bearing a Urea Group

Catalytic asymmetric reactions with chiral organoselenium catalysts have become one of the most important research topics in the field of organocatalysis. Despite the presence of several effective chiral selenium catalysts, further developments of new chiral organoseleniums are still desired due to their remarkable potential as asymmetric organocatalysts. Herein, we report the synthesis and asymmetric catalysis of chiral bifunctional selenides and selenonium salts bearing a urea group. The new chiral bifunctional selenide organocatalysts promote asymmetric halocyclizations with good to high levels of enantioselectivity. Furthermore, we report a reaction involving a precious example of a chiral tertiary selenonium salt‐catalyzed asymmetric phase‐transfer conjugate addition. Asymmetric organocatalysis of newly prepared chiral bifunctional selenides and selenonium salts bearing a urea group was investigated. These chiral bifunctional selenium catalysts promote asymmetric transformations with good to high enantioselectivities.