Direct Asymmetric α‐Selective Mannich Reaction of β,γ‐Unsaturated Ketones with Cyclic α‐Imino Ester: Divergent Synthesis of Cyclocanaline and Tetrahydro Pyridazinone Derivatives

The first regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselective direct Mannich reaction of β,γ,‐unsaturated ketones with benzoxazinone cyclic imines was enabled by Lewis acid/Brønsted base cooperative catalysis. The dinuclear zinc complex catalyzed the reaction of a broad range of β,γ‐unsaturated ketones to proceed at the α‐site exclusively, leading to corresponding adducts with two consecutive tertiary carbon stereocenters in diastereomeric ratios of up to >20:1 and enantioselectivities generally in the 90–99 % ee range. These products were used as general intermediates in the synthesis of multisubstituted cyclocanalines, tetrahydro pyridazinones, and 4 H ‐furo[2,3‐ b ][1,4]benzoxazine derivatives.