Application of Rh-Catalyzed Cyclization to the Formation of a Chiral Quaternary Carbon

Rh-Catalyzed cyclization was applied to the formation of a chiral quaternary carbon. It has become clear that the Rh-complex can discriminate between isopropenyl and 2-isopentenyl (or isopentyl) substituents, and the cyclization afforded 3, 3, 4-trisubstituted cyclopentanones with a chiral quaternary carbon in a stereoselective manner. The cyclization of 4-pentenals 6a, b by an achiral neutral Rh(PPh3)3Cl afforded 3, 3, 4-cis-trisubstituted cyclopentanones (±)-7a, b in 86-96%, and the cyclization by a cationic Rh[(R)-BINAP]ClO4 afforded 3, 3, 4-trans-trisubstituted cyclopentanones (-)-8a, b of 82-86% ee in 88-98% yields. The mechanism of stereoselection by Rh-complexes is also discussed.