Theoretical investigation on enantioselective Biginelli reaction catalyzed by natural tartaric acid

In this study, enantioselective Biginelli reaction of aldehyde, β‐ketoester, and urea catalyzed by natural (2R, 3R)‐tartaric acid has been investigated using density functional theory calculations. The results indicate that the most favorable pathway involves a protonated imine from aldehyde and urea in the first step. Tartaric acid forms H‐bonds network with substrates enhancing the electrophilicity of protonated imine and the nucleophilicity of β‐ketoester. (R)‐3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2‐(1H)‐ones is preferable for the reaction. The solvent effect is discussed in the prediction of enantiomeric excess (ee) values in ethanol and water. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011