Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Cycloaddition of Vinylethylene Carbonates with Nitroalkenes: A Route to Tetrahydrofurans bearing Vicinal Tetrasubstituted Stereocenters

An efficient method for the diastereo- and enantioselective construction of tetrahydrofurans bearing three continuous stereocenters including vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic cycloaddition of vinylethylene carbonates with nitroalkenes was developed. By using a palladium complex generated in situ from [Pd2(dba)3]center dot CHCl3 and (R)-BINAP ligand as a catalyst under mild reaction conditions, the process provides multi-functionalized tetrahydrofurans in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities.