Asymmetric Construction of Pyrrolidines Bearing a Trifluoromethylated Quaternary Stereogenic Center via CuI-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with -CF3-,-Disubstituted Nitroalkenes

A direct and convenient method has been developed for the synthesis of optically active pyrrolidines bearing a quaternary stereogenic center containing a CF3 group at the C-3 position of the pyrrolidine ring. The synthesis system, Cu-I/Si-FOXAP-catalyzed exo-selective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with -CF3-,-disubstituted nitroalkenes, provides pyrrolidines with high diastereoselectivities (up to >98:2 d.r.) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99.9 ee) and performs well for a broad scope of substrates under mild conditions.