Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Formal [4 + 2] Cycloaddition of o-Aminophenol Derivatives with Propargylic Esters for Synthesis of Optically Active 3,4-Dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazines.

The first copper-catalyzed asymmetric formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of o-aminophenol derivatives with propargylic esters as the bis-electrophilic C2 synthons for the stereoselective construction of chiral 2,3,4-trisubstituted 2H-1,4-benzoxazines bearing an exocyclic double bond has been developed. By using a structurally modified chiral ketimine P,N,N-ligand, a wide range of optically active 2H-1,4-benzoxazines were prepared in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).