Enantioselective Synthesis of β‑Allenoates via Phosphine-Catalyzed and ZnI2‑Promoted Preparation of Oxazolidines and Propargylamines Using Chiral Amines, 1‑Alkynes, and Propiolates

Diphenylphosphinoethane (DPPE)-catalyzed and ZnI2-promoted in situ formation of oxazolidine, alkynyl zinc, and propargylamine intermediates from 1-alkynes, chiral (S)-diphenyl­(pyrrolidin-2-yl)­methanol, and propiolates gave the corresponding chiral (R)-β-allenoates in 40–72% yield with up to >99% ee. The intermediate propargylamine was isolated in 50% yield and converted to give the β-allenoate 10aa in 68% yield and 96% ee upon reaction with ZnI2. The results are discussed considering a mechanism involving oxazolidine and iminium ions formed in situ followed by addition of alkynyl zinc complex to produce the propargylamine that gives the corresponding allenoate via a 1,5-hydrogen shift in the presence of ZnI2.