The Use of Lewis Acids for Repairing Chemoselectivity of the Organocatalyzed Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman Reaction

Abstract

AbstractA substantial improvement in the chemoselectivity of the Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman reaction was realized by adding a diimino‐ or diaminopyridine coordination site within the backbone of bis‐imidazole organocatalysts and using Lewis acids situated at this coordination site. The optimal outcome of 90–95% selectivity was achieved by proper matching of the catalyst/additive pair, as well as their respective amount (0.4 equiv. of AgOAc per 1 equiv. of diaminopyridine‐incorporating catalyst).