A new asymmetric bridging annulation reaction involving the intramolecular Michael addition of chiral imines to enoates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(00)86201-1

Thermal cyclization of imine 12b led, after hydrolytic work-up, to bicyclic derivative 13b with a very high control of the three newly created stereogenic centers. In contrast adducts 13a and 13c, resulting from the cyclization of imines 12a and 12c respectively, were obtained as complex mixtures of stereomers.