Enantioselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidine Frameworks via [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and Coumarin Derivatives

An enantioselective synthesis of benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidine derivatives via organocatalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition has been achieved. Cinchona alkaloid-derived organocatalysts as Brønsted bases have been examined for this asymmetric cycloaddition of o-hydroxy aromatic aldimines with 3-substituted coumarins. An unexpected rearrangement of the quaternary acyl moiety in the products resulted in an in situ protection of the o-hydroxy group.