Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.136, No.47, 16485-16488, 2014
Enantioselective Selenocyclization via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Seleniranium Ions by Hydrogen-Bond Donor Catalysts
Highly enantioselective selenocyclization reactions are promoted by the combination of a new chiral squaramide catalyst, a mineral acid, and an achiral Lewis base. Mechanistic studies reveal that the enantioselectivity originates from the dynamic kinetic resolution of seleniranium ions through anion-binding catalysis.