title: Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed annulation reactions with imidazolidinones.
abstract: Add acetic acid: A highly stereoselective N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed formal [4+2] annulation between α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and imidazolidinones for the synthesis of imidazoles has been developed. Acetic acid serves as a key additive to achieve high chemoselectivity for the formal [4+2] annulation product.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208 (USA).
authors.forename: Elizabeth O'Bryan
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: McCusker
authors.forename: Karl A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Scheidt
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008697:Methane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; C030011:carbene; D008697:Methane
keywords: N-heterocyclic carbenes; asymmetric synthesis; catalysis; enals; organocatalysis