Catalytic enantioselective halolactonization of enynes and alkenes

New organocatalysts have been developed for the enantioselective halolactonization of (Z)-1,3-enynes and 1,1-disubstituted alkenes. In the case of 1,3-enynes, the carboxylate nucleophile and halogen electrophile were added to the conjugated π-system from the same face. Up to 99% ee was achieved for the 1,4-syn-bromolactonization of conjugated (Z)-1,3-enynes. Based on the results from the enyne halolactonization, a second generation of catalysts was designed for simple olefins. Up to 91% ee was observed for chlorolactonization of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes. The catalysts developed for the enantioselective halolactonization of both enynes and alkenes are composed of a cinchona alkaloid skeleton tethered to a urea group.