A Chiral N,N'-Dioxide-Zn(II) Complex Catalyzes the Enantioselective [2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkynones with Cyclic Enol Silyl Ethers.

A highly efficient enantioselective [2+2] cycloaddition between alkynones and cyclic enol silyl ethers was developed by using a chiral N,N'-dioxide-zinc(II) complex as a catalyst. This method functions well for a variety of terminal alkynes as well as cyclic enol silyl ethers, with good to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). This is also the first successful example for the catalytic enantioselective [2+2] cycloaddition of internal alkynes with cyclic enol silyl ethers to give fully substituted cyclobutenes. Meanwhile, the desired cyclobutene product can easily be transformed into fused cyclobutane derivatives.