Lewis Acid Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines

Significance

Tetrahydroquinolines are a family of heterocycles traditionally synthesized by the Povarov reaction or reduction of quinolines. Utilizing chiral N,N′-dioxide ligands and a cobalt catalyst, the authors prepare chiral tetrahydroquinolines through a domino hydride transfer-cyclization protocol. The catalyst is proposed to chelate to the diester group of the starting material, activating the substrate.