Asymmetric synthesis of 3-substituted 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins via stereoselective addition of laterally lithiated chiral 2-(o-tolyl)oxazolines to aldehydes followed by diastereomer-selective lactonization

Lateral lithiation of (S)-4-isopropyl-2-(o-tolyl)oxazoline in diethyl ether followed by the reaction with aldehydes in the presence of TMEDA produced the addition products with stereoselectivities up to 84% de. Utilization of TMEDA as a ligand is essential for the good selectivity. Rationale for the stereoselectivity is proposed based on ab initio calculation of the lateral lithio species. The major (S,S)-products lactonized faster than the minor (S,R)-products to the corresponding 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins under acidic conditions. Thus, (3S)-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins were obtained in good optical purities up to 97% ee by sequential application of these matched stereoselective reactions.