Exploring the scope of the isothiourea-mediated synthesis of dihydropyridinones

The authors thank the Royal Society for a University Research Fellowship (ADS), the EU (IEF for CS) and the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) ERC Grant Agreement No. 279850 (JET and CF) and the EPSRC grant numbers EP/J018139/1 (DSBD) and EP/K00445X/1 (EG) for funding.The exploration and expansion of the scope of the isothiourea-mediated synthesis of dihydropyridinones is presented. The use of ketimines derived from α,β-unsaturated γ-ketoesters as the Michael acceptor in a Michael addition / lactamisation cascade gives access to a range of dihydropyridinones with high enantioselectivity. The nature of the N-sulfonyl group present on the ketimine is extensively investigated, with further studies into derivatisation of the dihydropyridinone core also reported.PostprintPeer reviewe