Asymmetric Intramolecular Desymmetrization of meso-α,α′-Diazido Alcohols with Aryldiazoacetates: Assembly of Chiral C3 Fragments with Three Continuous Stereocenters

The chiral Cu-complex-catalyzed intramolecular interception of meso-α,α′-diazido alcohols with aryldiazoacetates is explored. Most of the enantioenriched α-imino esters with three continuous stereocenters are produced with good to excellent yield and enantioselectivity, and a chiral pocket model is proposed for rationalization of the asymmetric desymmetrization.