Asymmetric Cross [10+2] Cycloadditions of 2-Alkylidene-1-indanones and Activated Alkenes under Phase-Transfer Catalysis

Isobenzofulvene species are versatile synthons in organic chemistry, which have been employed in diverse challenging higher-order cycloaddition reactions. Here, the first chemoselective and asymmetric cross [10+2] cycloaddition reaction between activated 2-alkylidene-1-indanones and a variety of electron-deficient alkenes has been developed, relying on the in situ generation of dearomative 1-hydroxyl isobenzofulvene anion intermediates under the catalysis of a newly designed bulky cinchona-derived phase-transfer compound. An array of fused frameworks with multifunctionalities were generally furnished in excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity, even at 1 mol % catalyst loadings.