SmI2-promoted intra- and intermolecular C–C bond formation with chiral N-acyl oxazolidinones

The suitability of chiral oxazolidinones in the SmI2-mediated C–C bond generation between the imide functionality of an N-acyl oxazolidinone unit and an olefinic radical acceptor, in both inter- and intramolecular reactions, was investigated. It was shown that the products from an Evans asymmetric alkylation can undergo direct carbon–carbon bond formation with an acrylamide providing chiral acyclic ketones in reasonable yields. These examples represent the first transformation of such N-acyl oxazolidinones where this chiral auxiliary is removed under the conditions for ketone formation. 5-exo-trig Cyclization studies were also undertaken with the same type of substrates, providing trans-2,5-disubstituted cyclopentanones in yields of approx. 50%. However, attempts to cyclize heteroatom-containing equivalents were less rewarding.