Stereoselective synthesis of 5,6-disubstituted-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones, a new class of non-biaryl atropisomeric compounds. Part 1

Atropisomeric 5,6-disubstituted-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones have been synthesized stereoselectively from chiral imines through a Michael reaction and a subsequent stereoselective azacyclization. A thermal study has shown that epimerization of the chiral axis can not take place even at high temperature.