Highly enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines via cobalt(II)-catalyzed tandem 1,5-hydride transfer/cyclization.

A chiral catalyst prepared from N,N'-dioxide and Co(BF(4))(2)·6H(2)O was applied in the asymmetric hydride transfer initiated cyclization reaction, giving optically active tetrahydroquinolines in good yields with high enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions. Meanwhile, in light of the absolute configuration of the product, a possible working model was proposed to explain the origin of the activation and asymmetric induction.