Organocatalytic atroposelective synthesis of naphthoquinone thioglycosides from aryl-naphthoquinones and thiosugars

In this study, we report an organocatalytic formal coupling strategy for aryl-naphthoquinones with thiosugars that provides straightforward access to the axially chiral naphthoquinone thioglycoside with excellent stereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies revealed the key role of H-bonding in stereochemical recognition. The reaction pathway involves the atroposelective addition, followed by stereoretentive oxidation of the hydroquinone intermediate.