Chiral-at-Metal Rh(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopropanes from Amido Sulfoxonium Ylides

Abstract An enantioselective cyclopropanation of amido sulfoxonium ylides with α,β-unsaturated 2-acylimidazoles enabled by new chiral-at-metal Rh(III) complexes is reported. This method constructs diversely functionalized 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropanes bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers in good yields with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity. Broad substrate compatibility and facile gram-scale synthesis and product derivatization highlight the synthetic utility of this protocol.