The first asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of methyl isocyanoacetate with N -sulfonylimines catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid derivatives yielded 2-imidazolines with high diastereoselectivities and good enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 dr and 70% ee). This reaction provided a convenient route to access various substituted 2-imidazoline-4-carboxylates and related α,β-diamino acids in high enantiomeric purities.
Junnan He,Nan Zheng,Ming Li,YuBin Zheng,Wangze Song
Multicomponent polymerization has emerged as a promising strategy to develop functional polymers with versatile structures. In this work, a Cu-catalyzed four-component polymerization was developed using diynes, sulfonyl azides, nucleophiles, and a variety of electrophiles including alkyl glyoxylates, nitroalkenes, and Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts to successfully synthesize a library of α-functionalized poly(N-sulfonylimidates)s with a wide substrate scope and high molecular weights (up to 20 000 g mol−1) in high yields (up to 86%). Such α-functionalized poly(N-sulfonylimidates)s could be further post-modified or utilized for the design of multi-functional and biodegradable polymers.