Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,4‐Dicarbonyl Compounds from Aldehydes by Hydrogen Atom Transfer Photocatalysis and Chiral Lewis Acid Catalysis

Abstract

AbstractEnantioenriched 1,4‐dicarbonyl compounds are versatile synthons in natural product and pharmaceutical drug synthesis. We herein report a mild pathway for the efficient enantioselective synthesis of these compounds directly from aldehydes through synergistic cooperation between a neutral eosin Y hydrogen atom transfer photocatalyst and a chiral rhodium Lewis acid catalyst. This method is distinguished by its operational simplicity, abundant feedstocks, atom economy, and ability to generate products in high yields (up to 99 %) and high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee).