Abstract
In intramolecular allylic substitution of bistrichloroacetimidates, one of the imidate
groups can serve as a N-nucleophile while the other can serve as a leaving group,
leading to 2-vinyloxazolines. Two approaches based on different mechanisms for allylic
substitution can be applied to achieve cyclization of the bisimidates. The reaction,
catalyzed by palladium(II), presumably involves aminometalation of the double bond
followed by deoxypalladation. Enantioenriched products can be obtained using chiral
palladium(II) catalysts as demonstrated for the cyclization of achiral bisimidates
derived from (E/Z)-butene-1,4-diol. Allylic substitution can proceed via a competing mechanism that
involves carbenium ion formation from a metal-complexed imidate. This enables the
use of Lewis acids as nonexpensive and less toxic alternative to palladium catalysts.
Regioselectivity of Lewis acid catalyzed bisimidate cyclization is controlled by formation
of the most stable carbenium ion as proposed intermediate. This approach provides
an efficient access to vinylglycinols, butadienylglycinol, and C-quaternary vinylglycinols.
Key words
amino alcohols - amino acids - palladium - Lewis acids - carbocation