Multicomponent Reaction of Epoxides, Isocyanates, and CO

Significance

The authors developed a new elegant and synthetically useful stereoselective transition-metal-catalyzed multicomponent reaction, yielding 1,3-oxazinane-2,4-diones from readily available epoxides and isocyanates. The products are valuable synthetic intermediates for the preparation of β-hydroxypropionic acids, 1,3-diols, substituted acrylic acids, etc. Cyclic epoxides, which are usually difficult to carbonylate, can be readily involved in this process. The reaction is especially smooth in the case of aryl isocyanates.