The highly enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of alkyl glyoxylate-derived nitrones to E-crotonaldehyde catalyzed by hybrid diamines

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of alkyl glyoxylate-derived nitrones to E-crotonaldehyde can be catalyzed by hybrid diamines, obtained from (S)-BINAM and l-α-amino acids. The hybrid of (S)-BINAM and l-Phe was found to be the best organocatalyst. Products were obtained in good yield and diastereoselectivity as well as high enantioselectivity (82–91% ee). Subsequent transformations into functionalized pyrrolidinones have been demonstrated.