Asymmetric Nazarov Cyclizations Catalyzed by Chiral-at-Metal Complexes

The application of Lewis acidic chiral-at-metal complexes of iridium(III) and rhodium(III) as catalysts for the asymmetric polarized Nazarov cyclization of dihydropyran- and indole-functionalized α-unsaturated β-ketoesters is reported (overall 24 examples). For both substrate classes, catalyst loadings of 2 mol% were found to be sufficient for achieving high yields and high stereoselectivities. The cyclized dihydropyran products were isolated in 85–98% yield, with 89%–>99% ee, and trans/cis ratios of 15:1–50:1 (9 examples). The cyclized indole products were typically isolated in more than 70% yield and in up to 93% yield, typically with more than 90% ee and in up to 97% ee, and trans/cis ratios of 12:1–28:1 (15 examples). (Figure presented.). © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim