Asymmetric Organocatalytic Synthesis of Chiral Polycyclic 1,4‐Dihydropyridines and Axially Chiral 4‐Arylpyridines Using 2,3‐Dioxopyrrolidines and 1,3‐Diketones

Abstract An asymmetric Michael/hemiketalization/amination reaction of 1,3‐diketones with 2,3‐dioxopyrrolidines catalysed by a quinine‐derived urea catalyst has been developed, which furnished a series of chiral polycyclic 1,4‐dihydropyridines in satisfactory yields and enantioselectivities (35–94 % yield for two steps and up to 99 % ee). Moreover, the subsequent oxidative aromatization of chiral 1,4‐dihydropyridines delivered chiral atropisomeric 4‐arylpyridines in 69–94 % yield and up to 95 % ee.