Enantioselective formal [2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes with nitroso compounds catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes.

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes were found to be efficient catalysts for the formal [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkyl(aryl)ketenes and nitroso compounds to give the corresponding 1,2-oxazetidin-3-ones in moderate to good yields with high enantioselectivities. Reductive ring-opening of the oxazetidinones give the corresponding α-hydroxy acid derivatives in good yields.