Development and applications of the aza-vinylogous Povarov reaction of α-ketoimines

Nitrogen heterocycles are one of the most interesting classes of organic molecules and the development of methods for their synthesis has long since stimulated the interest of the scientific community. 1,2,3,4-­‐Tetrahydroquinoline represents one of the most important heterocyclic moieties, being present in many natural compounds and in numerous classes of pharmacologically active agents. One of the most efficient methods for the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-­‐tetrahydroquinolines is the reverse electron-­‐demand [4+2] cycloaddition of N-­‐ arylimines and electron-­‐rich dienophiles, usually known as the Povarov reaction. This thesis is devoted to the development of a new variation of this reaction, the aza-­‐vinylogous Povarov reaction, including its organocatalytic enantioselective version, and the study of some of its applications..