Asymmetric Formal [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition of Azomethine Imines with Azlactones To Synthesize Bicyclic Pyrazolidinones

An efficient enantioselective formal [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of azomethine imines with azlactones has been realized by using a chiral bifunctional bisguanidinium hemisalt as the catalyst. Optically active bicyclic pyrazolidinone compounds were generated under mild reaction conditions in high yields (up to 99%) with good dr (up to 88:12) and excellent ee values (up to 99%). This simple and efficient strategy provides a method to construct biologically important chiral tetrahydro­pyrazolo­[1,2-a]­pyrazole-1,7-dione derivatives bearing vicinal aza-quaternary and tertiary carbon centers.