Organocatalytic [6+4] Cycloadditions via Zwitterionic Intermediates: Chemo-, Regio-, and Stereoselectivities

The mechanisms and origins of chemo- and stereoselectivities of the organocatalytic [6+4] cycloaddition between 2-cyclopentenone and tropone have been investigated by a combined computational and experimental study. In the presence of a cinchona alkaloid primary amine catalyst and an acid additive, 2-cyclopentenone forms a cross-dienamine intermediate that subsequently undergoes a stepwise [6+4] cycloaddition reaction via a zwitterionic intermediate. The rate-determining transition state features a strong hydrogen-bonding interaction between the tropone oxygen atom and the protonated quinuclidine directing the reaction course leading to a highly periselective [6+4] cycloaddition. The importance of the strong hydrogen-bonding interaction is also demonstrated by the influence of the concentration of the acid additive on the yields and enantioselectivities of the reaction. The corresponding [4+2] cycloaddition reaction has a much higher energy barrier. The enantioselectivity of the [6+4] cycloaddition originates from different repulsive hydrogen-hydrogen interactions that distinguish the diastereomeric transition states.